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LYRA 
INNOCENTIUMj 

THOUGHTS IN VERSE 

ON 

CHRISTIAN CHILDREN, 

THEIR WAYS, AND THEIR PRIVILEGES. 
" Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them." 



NEW YORK: 
WILEY AND PUTNAM, 161 BROADWAY 

1846, 



■ 



" O dearest, clearest Boy ! my heart 
For better lore would seldom yearn, 
Could I but teach the hundreth part, 
Of what from thee I learn." 

Wordsworth. 






T. B. Smith, Stereotypkr, 
216 William Street. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



■WNATVA-- 



5} 

According to the first idea of this little work, 

it would have proved a sort of Christian Year for 
Teachers and Nurses, and others who are much 
employed about Children. By degrees it has taken 
a different shape: but it was thought advisable 
ir e Table of Contents, to mention in many in- 
stances, with the subject of the Poem, the Day to 
which it was meant to be adapted. 



TO 



ALL FRIENDLY READERS. 



There are, who love upon their knees 

To linger when their prayers are said, 
And lengthen out their Litanies, 

In duteous care for quick and dead. 
Thou, of all Love the Source and Guide f 

O may some hovering thought of theirs, 
Where I am kneeling, gently glide, 

And higher waft these earth-bound prayers. 

There are, who gazing on the stars 
Love-tokens read from worlds of light, 

Not as dim-seen through prison-bars, 
But as with Angels : welcome bright. 



VI 

had we kept entire the vow 
And covenant of our infant eyes, 

We too might trace untrembling now 
Glad lessons in the moonlight skies. 

There are, to whom the gay green earth 

Might seem a mournful penance cave ; 
For they have marr'd their holy birth, 

Have rent the bowers that o'er them wave. 
Where underneath Thy Cross they lie, 

Mark me a place : Thy Mercy's ray 
Is healing, even to such as I, 

Else wherefore bid us hope and pray ? 

What if there were, who laid one hand 

Upon the Lyre of Innocence, 
While the other over sea and land 

Beckoned foul shapes, in dream intense 
Of earthly Passion ? Whoso reads, 

In pity kneel for him, and pour 
A deep heart-prayer (Of much it needs) 

That lies may be his hope no more. 



Vll 



Pray that the mist, by sin and shame 

Left on his soul; may fleet ; that he 
A true and timely word may frame 

For weary hearts, that ask to see 
Their way in our dim twilight hour ; — 

His lips so purged with penance-fire, 
That he may guide them, in Christ's 'power, 

Along the path of their desire ; 

And ivith no faint nor erring voice 

May to the wanderer whisper, " Stay : 
God chooses for thee : seal His choice, 

Nor from thy Mother's shadow stray : 
For sure thine holy Mother's shade 

Rests yet upon thine ancient home : 
No voice from Heaven hath clearly said, 

6 Let us depart ;' then fear to roam" 

Fray that the Prayer of Innocents 
On Earth, of Saints in Heaven above, 

Guard, as of old, our lonely tents : 
Till, as one Faith is ours, in Love 



Vlll 

We own all Churches, and are owned. — 
Pray Him to save, by chastenings keen, 

The harps that hail His Bride enthroned 
From wayward touch of hands unclean. 

Feb. 8, 1846. 



CONTENTS. 



II. Cradle Songs. 



I. Holy Baptism. 1. The Most Holy Name 

(For Trinity Sunday) . 1 

2. New Creation (Septuagesima) 4 

3. Guardian Angels . . 8 

4. Baptismal Vows (St. John) . 12 

5. Sign of the Cross . . 15 

6. Death of the New-baptized . 18 

1. The First Smile . . 19 

2. Children like Parents 
(Sixth Sunday after Epiphany) 23 

3. The Lullaby ... 28 

4. Sleeping on the waters 
(Fourth Sunday after Epiphany) 31 

5. First Waking 
(Monday in Easter Week) . 36 

6. Looking Westward 
(St. Matthew) . . 39 





VUiMJilN 1J>. 


PAGE 


II. Cradle Songs. 7. 


Upward Gazing 






(St. John Baptist) 


42 


8. 


Children's Thankfulness 


45 


9. 


Children with Dumb Creatures 


49 


10. 


Lifting up to the Cross 






(St. James) . 


55 


11. 


Sickness in the Cradle 






(Circumcision) 


62 


12. 


Anticipation and Retrospection 






( Third Sunday after Easter) 


64 


13. 


Judas 's Infancy 






( Wednesday before Easter) . 


66 


14. 


The Saint's Infancy 






(St. Stephen) . 


69 


15. 


The Cradle Guarded . 


73 


III. Early Encou- 1. 


Trustworthiness 




RAGEMENTS. 


(First Sunday after Epiphany) 


78 


2. 


Samuel's Prayer 


80 


3. 


Prayer at Home and in Church 


82 


4. 


S elf-Examination (St. Paul) . 


84 


5. 


Confession (Sexagesima) 


87 


6. 


Tell thy Mother 


89 


7. 


Absolution 


91 


8. 


Hours of Prayer 


92 


9. 


Repeating the Creed 






(First Sunday after Easter) 


94 


10. 


Lessons and Accomplishments 






(St. Luke) . 


97 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



III. Early En- 


11. 


Unwearied Love ( Twenty-second 


couragements. 




Sunday after Trinity) 


99 


IV. Early Warn- 


1. 


Effect of Example 




ings. 




(First Sunday after Trinity) 


102 




2. 


Danger of Praise, 








(Fourth Sunday in Advent) . 


104 




3. 


Envy .... 


106 




4. 


Mistrust of Elders 








(St. Thomas) 


108 




5. 


Fine Clothes (Palm Sunday) . 


110 




6. 


Irreverence in Church . 


113 




7. 


Disrespect to Elders . 


117 




8. 


Home Sickness (St. Mark) . 


122 




9. 


Ill Temper 


124 


V. Children's 


1. 


The Cross laid on Infants 




Troubles. 




( Good Friday) 


128 




2. 


Tears Restrained (Eighteenth 








Sunday after Trinity) 


132 




3. 


Loneliness 


136 




4. 


Shyness . . : 


140 




5. 


Stammering (Twelfth Sunday 








after Trinity) 


143 




G. 


Fear of Wild Beasts 








( Quinquagesima) 


145 




7. 


Separation ( Twenty-fourth Sun- 








day after Trinity) 


147 




8. 


Bereavement (Sixteenth Sunday 








after Trinity) 


149 



XII 



CONTENTS. 







PAGE 


V. Children's 


9. Orphanhood 


152 


Troubles. 


10. Fire {Nineteenth Sunday after 






Trinity) 


155 




11. Punishment. . 


158 




12. Penance 


162 


VI. Children's 


1. Gardening {Ninth Sunday after 




SPORTS. 


Trinity) 
2. May Garlands {St. Philip and 


166 




St. James) 


169 




3. Sunday Nosegays {Seventeenth 






Sunday after Trinity) 


172 




4. Dressing up {Twenty-first 






Sunday after Trinity) 


174 




5. Pebbles on the Shore . 


178 




6. Bathing {St. Peter) . 


182 




7. Enacting Holy Rites 






{St. Matthias 


185 


VII. Lessons of 


1. Vernal Mirth . 


190 


Nature. 


2. The Bird's Nest 

( Whitsun- Tuesday) 

3. The Mother Bird with her 

young {Tenth Sunday after 
Trinity) 

4. Noontide {Ascension Day) 

5. The Gleaners . 

6. Autumn Buds 

{Advent Sunday) 

7. The Oak 

( Third Sunday in Advent^ 


192 

195 
197 
200 

203 

205 



CONTENTS. 



Xlll 



VII. Lessons of 8. The Palm 

Nature. Jfi. The Waterfall 

{St. Simon and St. Jude) 
j^iO. The Starry Heavens . 

VIII. Lessons of 1. Isaac on Moriah 

Grace. {First Sunday in Lent) 

2. Song of the Manna- Gath- 

erers 

3. The Gibeonites 

4. David's Childhood {Sixth Sun- 

day after Trinity) 

5. Elijah at Sarepta 

6. Naaman's Servant {Eleventh 

Sunday after Trinity) 

7. Hezekiah's display 

8. St. Joseph 

9. The Boy with the Five 

Loaves 

10. The Mourners following the 

Cross 

11. St. Andrew and his Cross 

1. Preparing for Sunday Ser- 
vices . 

2. Walk to Church 

3. The Lich-gate . 

4. Obeisance on entering Church 

5. The Empty Church . 
G. Church Decorations . 



PAGE 

207 



IX. Holy Places 
and Things. 



XIV 



CONTENTS. 



IX. Holy Places 
and Things. 



W 



X. Holy Seasons 
and Days. 



7. Church Windows 

{All Saints) . 

8. Relics and Memorials 

{St. Bartholomew) . 

9. Carved Angels 

{St. Michael) . 

10. Church Rites {Second Sunday 

after Epiphany) 

11. White apparel 

I. The Chrisom 
II. The Sunday Dress 

III. Confirmation 

IV. Priests in White . 
V. Choristers in White 

VI. Bridal White 
VII. Penitents in White 
VIII. White upon the Altar 
IX. The Winding Sheet 

12. Redbreast in Church . 

13. Disuse of Excommunication 

14. Disuse of Infant Communion 

( Thursday before Easter) 

15. The Offertory 

{St. Barnabas ) 

16. Church Bells. . 

17. Continual Services 

{Sunday before Advent) 

1. Christmas Eve, Vespers 

2. Christmas Eve 5 Compline 





i 


CONTENTS. 


XV 

PAGE 


X. Holy Seasons 


3. 


Christmas Day 


318 


and Days. 


4. 


Epiphany 


321 




5. 


Purification 


324 




6. 


Lent . 


328 




7. 


Easter Eve 


331 


L^ 


8. 


Easter Day 


333 




9. 


Whitsun Eve . 


338 




10. 


Whitsunday 


342 




11. 


Octaves of Festivals , 


345 


V. Children's 


13. 


Languor 


349 


Troubles. 









// 8 



LYEA INNOCENTIUM. 



IDolg I3aptx0tn. 



i. 

THE MOST HOLY NAME. 
"Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." 

Once in His Name who made thee, 
Once in His Name who died for thee, 

Once in His Name who lives to aid thee. 
We plunge thee in Love's boundless sea. 

Christian, dear child, we call thee ; 

Threefold the Bath, the Name is One : 
Henceforth no evil dream befall thee, 

Now is thy heavenly rest begun. 
2 



Lyra Innocenlium. 

Yet in sharp hours of trial 

The mighty seal must needs be prov'd : 
Dread Spirits wait in stern espial :— 

But name thou still the Name belov'd. 

Name it with heart untainted, 

Lips fragrant from their early vow, 

Ere Conscience yet have swerved or fainted, 
Ere Shame have dyed the willing brow. 

Name it in dewy morning, 

When duly for the world's keen fray 
With prayer and vow thy soul adorning, 

Thou in thy bower salut'st the day. 

In quiet evening name it, 

When gently, like a wearied breeze, 
Thou sink'st to sleep ; O see thou claim it — 

That saving Name — upon thy knees. 

Name it in solemn meetings, 

'Mid chanted anthems grave and clear, 
When toward the East our awful greetings 

Are wafted ere our Lord appear. 



Holy Baptism. 

Upon thy death-bed name it : 

So may'st thou chase th' infernal horde, 
So learn with angels to proclaim it, 

Thrice Holy, One Almighty Lord. 



Lyra Innocentium. 

2. 

NEW CREATION. 

Who can the wondrous birth declare 
Of Earth and Heaven so vast and fair ? 
Yet whensoe'er to Love's pure spring 
A helpless Little One they bring,. 
Those wonders o'er again we see 
In saving mystery. 

All in the unregenerate child 
Is void and formless, dark and wild, 
Till the life-giving holy Dove 
Upon the waters gently move, 
And power impart, soft brooding there, 
Celestial fruit to bear. 

God on the first day spoke in might, 
" Let there be Light," and there was Light. 
So o'er the font enlightening grace 
As surely beams from Jesu's face, 
As when in Jordan's wave He bow'd 
Beneath the hovering cloud. 



Holy Baptism. 

The second day, God stood on high, 
The dewy treasures of the sky : 
And who the pure glad drops may tell, 
Reserv'd in yon ethereal well, 
Faith to revive upon her way, 
Hope's weary thirst allay ? 



The third day dawn'd : — at His command 
The rushing waters left the land, 
With herb and flower the green earth smil'd, — 
So art thou rescued, Christian Child, 
From tossings of the world's rude sea, 
In vernal Peace to be. 



Bright rose the fourth triumphant morn, 
For then the sun and stars were born, 
And the soft moon, whose chaste cold ray 
Tells tidings of a purer day. 
Christ in the font became one Noon, 
The holy Church, one Moon. 



Lyra Innocentium. 

To the fifth dawn and eve belong 
Motion and life, and flight and song, 
In watery deeps and deeps of Heaven :- 
Such gift to thee, dear babe, was given 
When from the earth He bade thee rise 
To praise Him in the skies. 



The sixth dread day, the last in place 
Dread in its deeps of untold grace, 
Moulded, at noon, the cold dull clay, 
Inspired, at eve, the quickening ray ; 
The same sad morn and evening mild 
Renewed us, earth-defiled. 



Thee, awful Image of the All-good, 
That one atoning day renewed 
For the whole world — the fontal wave 
To each apart the glory gave, 
Washing us clean, that we might hide 
In His love-pierced side. 



Holy Baptism. 

Thus in each day of toil we read 
Tokens of joy to Saints decreed. 
What if the day of holy rest 
The sleep foreshow of infant blest, 
Borne from the font, the seal new given, 
Perchance to wake in Heaven ? 



Lyra Innocentium. 



GUARDIAN ANGELS. 

" Tell me now thy morning dream." 
" In the flowery sweet spring-tide 

I beheld a sparkling stream, 

Whereby thousand angels glide , 

Each beneath the soft bright wing 

Seem'd a tender babe to bring. 

Where the freshest waters fell. 

In an ever-living well. 

Far within the unearthly Fount 

Showed the pure Heaven's steadfast rays, 
Stars beyond what eye can count 

Deepening on the unwearied gaze. 
Whoso of those springs would draw, 
Wondrous joy and wondrous awe, 
On his soul together rise, 
Starlight keen and dark blue skies. 



Holy Baptism. 

Round the margin breath'd and bloom'd 
Flowers from Eden : far below 

Gems from Heaven the sides illum'd : — 
But nor flower nor gem might show 

Half so fair as your soft charms, 

Who in you wore seraph's arms 

Here are wafted, in pure vest, 

Robed, and wash'd, and seal'd, and bless'd. 

There one moment lay immers'd 
Each bright form, and ere it rose, 

Rose regenerate, Light would burst 
From where golden morning glows, 

With a sudden, silent thrill, 

Over that mysterious rill. 

Ne'er so bright, so gentle, sweep 

Lightnings o'er the summer deep. 

In a moment came that ray, 

Came but went not : every sprite, 

Through its veil of mortal clay, 

Now is drench'd in quickening light ; 
2* 



Lyra Innocentium, 

Light wherewith the seraphs burn ; 
Light that to itself would turn 
Whatsoe'er of earth and shame 
Mars even yet the new-born frame. 

Through the pure Heavens now at large 
See the immortal guardians soar, 

Each joying to behold his charge 

Purg'd, wing'd, brighten'd more and more. 

As the strong undying spark 

Buoys them upward to God's Ark, 

To the Throne where all repair 

With the first fruits of their care. 

Nor with smile so glad and kind 

Welcom'd God's High Priests of old, 

Abraham's head with Abraham's mind 
Offering gifts from field and fold, 

Lamb or kid, or first-ripe corn, 

Glory of the Paschal Morn ; — 

When the shades from Salem's wall 

On Siloah deepest fall ; — 



Holy Baptism. 11 

As in that entrancing dream, 

On my sleep-embolden'd eyes, 
From the shrine, the approving beam 

Thrill'd, as each new sacrifice, 
Each new living ray, each soul 
Borne beyond where shadows roll, 
With its faithful watcher, found 
Place in the eternal round. " 

O sweet morning dream, I pray, 

Pass not with the matin hour : 
Charm me : — heart and tongue allay, 

Thoughts of gloom and eyes that lower. 
From the Fountain to the Shrine 
Bear me on, thou trance divine ; 
Faint not, fade not on my view, 
Till I wake and find thee true. 



12 Lyra Innocentium. 



BAPTISMAL VOWS. 

O happy new-born Babe, where art thou lying ? 

What are these sounds that fill with healing balm 
The hallow 'd air, of power to still thy crying 

At once, and nurse thee into heavenly calm ? 

" His Bosom bears me, who on earth descended, 
Of a poor Maid vouchsafing to be born. 

His saving words, with holy water blended, 

Have brought the glory to my prime of morn." 

Joy to thy nurse, more joy to her who bore thee, 

Lamb of that Shepherd's flock, whose name is GoocT: 

As he hath won, for ever may he wear thee, 
And keep thee purified with his dear blood ! 

" Amen : and therefore am I sworn His servant, 
His sacred Heart through life to be my rest, 

To watch His eye with adoration fervent, 
Foe of his foes, and in His white robe drest." 



Holy Baptism. 13 

O blest, O safe, on God's own bosom leaning ! 

But Passion-hours are nigh : — keep thee thy place : 
And far and wide are evil watchers, gleaning 

The lambs that slight the Shepherd's fostering grace. 

" Nay, I will drink His cup ; my vow is taken ; 

With His baptizing blood my own shall blend ; 
Ne'er be that holiest charge by me forsaken, 

The dying Saviour's trust to each true friend." 

Well hast thou sworn, and be thy warfare glorious : 
But Saints are pure, the Church is undefined, 

And Jesus welcomed from His cross victorious 
A Virgin Mother to a Virgin Child. 

" Then ask for me of the dread Son of Mary, 
Whose arms eternal are young children's home, 

A loving heart, obedient eyes and wary, 
Even as I am to tarry till He come." 

Prayer shall not fail, but higher He would lead thee : 
His Bosom Friend ate of that awful Bread : 

So will He wait all day to bless and feed thee ; — 
Come thou adoring to be blest and fed. 



14 Lyra Innocenlium. 

" 'Tis meet and right, and mine own bounden duty. 

Good Angels guide me with pure heart to fall 
Before His Altar-step, and see His Beauty, 

And taste of Him, my first, my last, mine all." 



Holy Baptism. 15 



SIGN OF THE CROSS. 

(See the First Prayer Book of Edward VI. — " Receyve the signe of the Holy 
Crosse, both in thy forehead and in thy breste") 

Where is the mark to Jesus known, 

Whereby He seals His own ? 
Slaves wore of old on brow and breast 

Their master's name impress'd, 
And Christian babes on heart and brow 

Wear Jesu's token now. 
His holy Priest that token gave 
With finger dipt in the life-giving wave. 

When soldiers take their Sovereign's fee, 

And swear His own to be, 
The royal badge on forehead bold 

They show to young and old. 
Nor may we hide for fear or shame 

The persecuted Name. 
Only with downcast eyes we go 
At thought of sin that God and angels know. 



Lyra Innocentium. 

If the dread mark, though dim, be there, 

The watchers will not bear 
From spirits un blest or reckless man 

Unpitying word or ban. 
" Mine own anointed touch ye not, 

Nor mine handwriting blot. 
Where'er my soldiers cross thy path, 
Honour my royal Sign, or fear my wrath." 

The Shepherd signs his lambs in haste, 

Ere on the mountain waste 
He loose them, far and wide to stray, 

And whoso mars their way, 
Or scorns the awful Name they show, 

That Shepherd counts him foe. 
Fresh from his arms are these, and sure 
We read His token here undimm'd and pure. 

Fresh from th' eternal arms are these 

Or sporting on our knees, 
Or set on earth with earnest eye 

And tottering feet, to try 



Sign of the Cross. 17 

Their daily walk, or newly taught 
Grave prayer and quiet thought. 
The fragrant breath of their new birth 
Is round them yet : avaunt, ill airs of earth. 

Ye elder brethren, think on this ! 

Think on the mighty bliss, 
Should He, the Friend of babes, one day, 

The words of blessing say : — 
" My seal upon My lambs ye knew, 

And I will honour you :" — 
And think upon the eternal loss 
If on their foreheads ye deface the glorious Cross. 



18 Holy Baptism, 



DEATH OF THE NEW-BAPTIZED. 

What purer brighter sight on earth, than when 
The Sun looks down upon a drop of dew, 

Hid in some nook from all but Angels' ken, 

And with his radiance bathes it through and through, 
Then into realms too clear for our frail view 

Exhales and draws it with absorbing love ? 
And what if Heaven therein give token true 

Of grace that new-born dying infants prove, 

Just touched with Jesus' light, then lost in joys above ? 



%% €xaUt 0ong0. 



THE FIRST SMILE.* 



" Post et ridere cspi ; dormiens primo, deinde vigilans." — August. Con- 
fess. 1. 8. 



Tears from the birth the doom must be 
Of the sin-born — but wait awhile 

Young mother, and thine eye shall see 
The dawning of the first soft smile. 

It comes in slumber, gently steals 
O'er the fair cheek, as light on dew ; 

Some inward joy that smile reveals ; 

Sit by and muse ; such dreams are true. 

* For this Poem the Author is indebted to a dear friend. 



20 Cradle Songs. 

Closed eyelids, limbs supine, and breath 
So still, you scarce can calm the doubt 

If life can be so like to death — 
'Tis life, but all of earth shut out. 

'Tis perfect peace ; yet all the while 
O'er marble brow, and dimpled chin 

Mantles and glows that radiant smile. 
Noting the spirit stirred within. 

Oh dim to this the flashing ray, 

Though dear as life to mother's heart, 

From waking smiles, that later play ; 
In these earth claims the larger part. 

; Tis childish sport, or frolic mirth, 
Or the fond mother's blameless guile, 

Or glittering toy, — some gaud of earth, 
That stirs him to that merry smile. 

Or if in pensive wise it creep, 

With gradual light and soberer grace, 

Yet shades of earthly sorrow sleep, 
Still sleep upon his beauteous face. 



The First Smile. 21 

But did the smile disclose a dream 

Of bliss that had been his before ? 
Was it from heaven's deep sea a gleam 

Not faded quite on earth's dim shore ? 

Or told some Angel from above 

Of glories to be his at last, 
The sunset, crowning hours of love — 

His labours done — his perils past ? 

Or, thought of trial for her breast, 

Did the mild spirits whisper then, 
& From the Baptismal Fount, O blest, 

Thou shalt be ours, dear child, again ? 

" Thou shalt be ours, and heaven be thine, 

Thy victory without peril given ; 
Sent a brief while on earth to shine, 

And then to shine a light in heaven. 

" And her that folds thee now so warm, 
And haply thinks 'twere death to part, 

Her shall a holier love inform, 

A clearer faith enlarge her heart." 



22 Cradle Songs. 

Blest smile ! — so let me live my day, 
That when my latest sun shall set, 

That smile reviving once may play 
And gild my dying features yet : 

That smile to cheer the mourners round 
With hope of human sins forgiven ; 

Token of earthly ties unbound, 
Of heart intent on opening heaven. 



Cradle Songs. 23 



2. 



CHILDREN LIKE PARENTS. 

" Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear 
what we shall be : but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be 
like Him ; for we shall see Him as He is." 

When travail hours are spent and o'er, 

And genial hours of joy 
In cradle songs and nursery lore 

All the glad home employ. 

Full busy in her kindly mood 

Is Fancy, to descry 
The welcome notes of fatherhood, 

In form, and lip and eye. 

And elder brethren's hearts are proud, 

And sisters blush and smile, 
As round the babe by turns they crowd, 

A brief and wondering while. 



24 Cradle Songs, 

With eager speed they ready make 

Soft bosom and safe arm, 
As though such burthen once to take 

A blessing were and charm. 

And ever as with hastening wing 

His little life glides on, 
By power of that first wondrous spring 

To all but babes unknown, 

Easier each hour the task will grow, 
To name the unfolding flower, 

By plumage and by song to know 
The nestling in his bower. — 

Oh, while your hearts so blithely dance 
With frail fond hopes of earth, 

Will ye not cast one onward glance 
To the true heavenly birth ? 

Will ye not say, " God speed the time 
When Spirits pure, to trace 

The hues of a more glorious prime, 
Shall lean from their high place 



Children like Parents. 25 

And mark, too keen for earthly day, 

The Father's stamp and seal, 
Christ in the heart, the Living Ray, 

Its deepening light reveal V' 

Oh, well the denizens of Heaven 

Their Master's children know, 
By filial yearnings sweet and even, 

By patient smiles in woe, 

By gaze of meek inquiry, turn'd 

Towards th' informing Eye, 
By tears that to obey have learn'd, 

By clasped hands on high. 

Well may we guess, our Guardians true 

Stoop low and tarry long, 
Each accent noting, each faint hue, 

That shows us weak or strong. 

And even as loving nurses here 

Joy in the babe to find 

The likeness true of kinsman dear 

Or brother good and kind, 
3 



26 Cradle Songs. 

So in each budding inward grace 

The Seraphs' searching ken 
The memory haply may retrace 

Of ancient, holy men. 

For of her Saints the Sacred Home 

Is never quite bereft ; 
Each a bright shadow in the gloom, 

A glorious type, hath left. 

And by those features, stern or sweet, 

Resigned or dauntless, all 
Heaven's keen-eyed Watchers use to mete, 

Which mortals holy call. 

" And hark," saith one, " the soul I guide— 

I heard it gently sigh 
In such a tone as Peter sighed, 

Touched by his Saviour's eye." 

" And see," another cries, " how soft 

Smiles on that little child 
Yon aged man ! even so full oft 

The loved Disciple smiled." 



Children like Parents. 27 

And oh, be sure no guardian fires 

Flash brighter in their joy 
Than theirs, who scan the meek desires 

And lowly lone employ 

Of maiden in her quiet bower, 

When haply glance or mien 
Reminds them of the lily flower 

With Blessed Mary seen. — 

But as when babes by look or tone 

Brother or friend recall, 
In all the Parents' right we own, 

Their memory blend with all, 

So in earth's saintly multitude 

Discern we Saints above : — 
In these, the Fountain Orb of Good, 

Pure Light and endless Love. 



28 Cradle Songs, 

3. 
THE LULLABY. 

The western sky is glowing yet, 

The burnished Cross upon the spire 
Gives token where the Sun hath set, 

Touch'd faintly with its last dim fire. 
Pause on thy way from evening prayer, 
And listen : through the twilight air 
Floats from yon open cottage door 
A soft strain warbled o'er and o'er. 

A maiden rocks a babe to sleep, 

And times the cradle to her song ; — 
A simple strain, not high nor deep, 

But awful thoughts thereto belong : 
For oft in holy Church's shade 
She to that strain hath lent her aid. — 
" In thee I put my steadfast trust, 
Defend me, Lord, for thou art just."* 

* Psalm lxxi. 1. New Version. 



The Lullaby. 29 

Without a Psalm she breathes her strain, 

Lest haply ruder ears be nigh ; 
But to the babe her sense is plain, 

In that half word of lullaby. 
That sound still varied, still the same, 
To him is as the Saving Name 
Pronounced in every tone, and strong 
To guard his sleep from every wrong. 

Angels may read such words of power, 
And infants feel them : we the while 

But dimly guess, till in His hour 
We see the Lord's unclouded smile. 

Then spells that guarded us of old 

Their hidden virtue shall unfold : 

Charm'd writings are they now ; no eye 

May read them till the fire be nigh. 

awful touch of God made Man ! 

We have no lack if Thou art there, 
From Thee our infant joys began, 

By Thee our wearier age we bear. 



30 Cradle Songs. 

From Satan's breath, from Herod's sword, 
The cradle where Thou watchest, Lord, 
Is safe : the Avenger's rushing cry- 
Is like a sister's lullaby. 



Cradle Songs. 31 



SLEEPING ON THE WATERS. 

" And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow : and they 
awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish 1" 

While snows, even from the mild South-west, 

Come blinding o'er all day, 
What kindlier home, what safer nest, 

For flower or fragrant spray, 
Than underneath some cottage roof, 

Where fires are bright within, 
And fretting cares scowl far aloof, 

And doors are closed on sin ? 

The scarlet tufts so cheerily 

Look out upon the snow, 
But gayer smiles the maiden's eye 

Whose guardian care they know. 



32 Cradle Songs. 

The buds that in the nook are born — 

Through the dark howling day- 
Old Winter's spite they laugh to scorn : — 
What is so safe as they ? 

Nay, look again : beside the hearth 

The lowly cradle mark, 
Where, wearied with his ten hours' mirth, 

Sleeps in his own warm ark 
A bright-haired babe, with arm upraised, 

As though the slumberous dew 
Stole o'er him, while in faith he gazed 

Upon his Guardian true. 

Storms may rush in, and crimes and woes 

Deform the quiet bower ; — 
They may not mar the deep repose 

Of that immortal flower. 
Though only broken hearts be found 

To watch his cradle by, 
No blight is on his slumbers sound, 

No touch of harmful eye. 



Sleeping on the Waters. 33 

So gently slumber'd on the wave 

The new-born seer of old, 
Ordained the chosen tribes to save ; 

Nor dream'd how darkly roll'd 
The waters by his rushy brake, 

Perchance even now defiled 
With infants' blood for Israel's sake, 

Blood of some priestly child. 

What recks he of his mother's tears, 

His sister's boding sigh ? 
The whispering reeds are all he hears, 

And Nile, soft weltering nigh, 
Sings him to sleep ; but he will wake, 

And o'er the haughty flood 
Wave his stern rod ; — and lo ! a lake, 

A restless sea of blood ! 

Soon shall a mightier flood thy call 

And outstretch'd rod obey ; — 
To right and left the watery wall 

From Israel shrinks away. 
3* 



34 Cradle Songs. 

Such honour wins the faith that gave 
Thee and thy sweetest boon 

Of infant charms to the rude wave, 
In the third joyous moon. 

Hail, chosen Type and Image true 

Of Jesus on the Sea ! 
In slumber and in glory too, 

Shadowed of old Tby thee. 
Save that in calmness thou didst sleep 

The summer stream beside, 
He on a wider wilder deep, 

Where boding night-winds sigh'd : — 

Sigh'd when at eve He laid Him down, 

But with a sound like flame 
At midnight from the mountain's crown 

Upon His slumbers came. — 
Lo, how they watch, till He awake, 

Around His rude low bed : 
How wistful count the waves that break 

So near His sacred Head ! 



Sleeping on the Waters. 

faithless ! know ye not of old 

How in the western bay, 
When dark and vast the billows roll'd, 

A Prophet slumbering lay ? 
The surges smote the keel as fast 

As thunderbolts from heaven : — 
Himself into the wave he cast, 

And hope and life were given. 

Behold, a mightier far is here ; — 

Nor will He spare to leap, 
For the souls' sake He loves so dear, 

Into a wilder deep. 
E'en now He dreams of Calvary; 

Soon will He wake and say 
The words of peace and might : do ye 

His hour in calmness stay. 



36 Cradle Songs, 



FIRST WAKING. 

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, 
Rabboni ; which is to say, Master." 

" Ye who wait in wistful gaze 

Where young infants lie, 
Learning faith and silent praise 

From each pure calm sigh, 
Say, 'mid all those beaming glances, 
Starts, and gleams, and silent trances, 
When the fond heart highest dances, 

Feeling Heaven so nigh ?** 

" Hard it is, 'mid gifts so sweet 

Choosing out the prime : 
But no brighter smiles we meet 

Than at waking time, 
When they burst the chains of slumber, 
Chains that guard but not encumber, 
And glad fancies without number 

Ring their playful chime." 



First Waking. 37 

" Nay, but with a moaning sound 

Babes awakening start ; 
See the uneasy eye glance round, 

Feel the beating heart." 
" But the watcher's look prevailing 
In a moment stills that wailing, 
Eye and heart have ceased their ailing, 

Joy hath learn'd her part." 

So when rose on Easter dawn 

Our all-glorious Sun, 
You might see Love's eye withdrawn 

From th' adored One. 
Tears that morn were in her waking, 
Now again her heart is breaking ; — 
Who may soothe her soul's sad aching ? 

For her Lord is gone. 

Him for tears she may not see, 

Even her soul's delight, 
Yet full near to her is He. — 

Say, did Hosts of Light 



38 Cradle Songs. 

Ever breathe in mortals' hearing 
Tones so soft, so heavenly cheering ? 
" Mary," was the word endearing — 
Heaven and earth grew bright. 

Lo, the Babe spreads out his arms 
Toward the Watcher's face, 

Fain to hide from sad alarms 
In Love's safe embrace. — 

See, the Word of Grace attending, 

Magdalen full lowly bending. 

" Touch me not till mine ascending," 
Is the Word of Grace. 

Love with infant's haste would fain 

Touch Him and adore, 
But a deeper holier gain 

Mercy keeps in store. 
" Touch Me not : awhile believe Me : 
Touch Me not till Heaven receive Me, 
Then draw near and never leave Me, 

Then I go no more." 



Cradle Songs, 39 



LOOKING WESTWARD. 



"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in 
our hearts." 



Had I an infant, Lord, to rear 
And mould in Jesus' Law, 

How should I watch in hope and fear 
The first deep glance of awe, 

When for a bright and conscious gaze 

He lifts his eyelids meek, 
And round his own world's little maze, 

Some marvel fain would seek ! 

Bright be the spot, and pure the ray, 
That wins his steadfast eye ; 

A path of light, a glorious way, 
To guide his soul on high. 



40 Cradle Songs. 

O, rich the tint of earthly gold, 
And keen the diamond's spark, 

But the young Lamb of Jesus' fold 
Should other splendours mark. 

To soothe him in the unquiet night 

I ask no taper's gleam, 
But bring him where the aerial light 

Falls from the Moon's soft beam. 

His heart at early morn to store 

With fancies fresh and rare, 
Count not thy jewels o'er and o'er, 

Show him no mirror's glare, 

But lift him where the Eastern heaven 

Glows with the Sun unseen, 
Where the strong wings, to morning given. 

Brood o'er a world serene. 

There let him breathe his matin thought, 

Of pure unconscious love, 
There taste the dew by Angels brought 

In silence from above. 



Looking Westward. 41 

Yet, might I choose a time, me seems 

That earliest wistful gaze 
Were best to meet the softening beams 

Of sunset's glowing maze. 

Wide be the western casement thrown, 

At sultry evening's fall, 
The gorgeous lines be duly shown 

That weave Heaven's wondrous pall. 

Calm be his sleep, whose eyelids close 

Upon so fair a sight : 
Not gentler mother's music flows, 

Her sweetest, best good night. 

So hastes the Lord our hearts to fill 

With calm baptismal grace, 
Preventing all false gleams of ill 

By His own glorious Face. 



42 Cradle Songs. 



7. 



UPWARD GAZING. 

" And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to 
me 1 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the 
babe leaped in my womb for joy." 

" Whence is the mighty grace, 
Mother of God, that thou to me shouldst come, 
Me, who but fill a sinner's place, 
A sinful child hid in my womb ? 
Who in God's sight am I, 
And who mine unborn boy, 
That I should view Heaven's Spouse so nigh, 
He in my bosom leap for joy V 9 

O cry of deep delight 
By Aaron's sainted daughter breath'd that hour ! 
O joy preventing life and light, 
When the Incarnate in His Power 



Upward Gazing. 

Came to th' Unborn ! even now 
Your echo faint we feel, 
When o'er the newly sealed brow 

Glad airs and gleams of summer steal. 

Oft as in sunbright dawn 
The infant lifts its eye, joying to find 
The dusky veil of sleep undrawn, 
And to the East gives welcome kind : 
Or in the morning air 

Waves high his little arm, 
As though he read engraven there 

His fontal name, Christ's saving charm : 

Oft as in hope untold 
The parent's eye pursues that eager look, 
Enkindling like the shafts of old, 

Where mid the stars their way they took :* 
Still in Love's steady gaze, 
In Joy's unbidden cry, 
That holy mother's glad amaze, 
That infant's worship, we descry. 

• Virg. JEn. v. 52k 



44 Cradle Songs. 

Still Mary's Child unseen . 
Comes breathing, in the heart just seal'd His own, 
Prayers of high hope : what bliss they mean, 
And where they soar, to Him is known ! — 
But joyous Mothers, mark, 
And mark, exulting Sires, 
All who the pure baptismal spark 
Would duteous nurse to saintly fires : 

Stern is the Babe, and lone : 
Vow'd from his birth, unborn he seals the vow, 
And ere he win his glory-throne, 
Vigil and fast his frame must bow, 
And hours of prayer, apart 

From Home's too soothing praise ; — 
His Saviour's image in his heart 
Increasing while his own decays. 



Cradle Songs. 45 



CHILDREN'S THANKFULNESS. 

Why so stately. Maiden fair, 

Rising in thy nurse's arms 

With that condescending air ; 

Gathering up thy queenly charms, 
Like some gorgeous Indian bird, 
Which, when at eve the balmy copse is stirr'd, 

Turns the glowing neck, to chide 
Th' irreverent foot-fall, then makes haste to hide 

Again its lustre deep 
Under the purple wing, best home of downy sleep ? 

Not as yet she comprehends 

How the tongues of men reprove. 

But a spirit o'er her bends 
Train'd in Heaven to courteous love, 

And with wondering grave rebuke 
Tempers, to-day, shy tone and bashful look. — 



46 Cradle Songs. 

Graceless one, 'tis all of thee, 
Who for her maiden bounty, full and free, 

The violet from her gay 
And guileless bosom, didst no word of thanks repa) 

Therefore, lo, she opens wide 

Both her blue and wistful eyes, — 
Breathes her grateful chant, to chide 

Our too tardy sympathies. 
Little Babes and Angels bright — 
They muse, be sure, and wonder, day and night, 

How th' all holy Hand should give, 
The sinner's hand in thanklessness receive. 

We see it and we hear, 
But wonder not : for why 1 we feel it all too near. 

Not in vain, when feasts are spread, 
To the youngest at the board* 

Call we to incline the head, 

And pronounce the solemn word. 

Not in vain they clasp and raise 
The soft pure fingers in unconscious praise, 

• See Hooker, E. P. v. 31. 



Children's Thankfulness. 47 

Taught perchance by pictur'd wall 
How little ones before the Lord may fall, 

How to His lov'd caress 
Reach out the restless arm, and near and nearer press. 

Children in their joyous ranks, 

As you pace the village street, 
Fill the air with smiles and thanks 
If but once one babe you greet. 
Never weary, never dim, 
From Thrones Seraphic mounts th' eternal hymn. 

Babes and Angels *grudge no praise ; — 
But elder souls, to whom His saving ways 

Are open, fearless take 
Their portion, hear the Grace, and no meek answer 
make. 

Save one blessing, Master, save 
From the blight of thankless eye : 

Teach us for all joys to crave 
Benediction pure and high, 

Own them given, endure them gone, 
Shrink from their hardening touch, yet prize them won. 



48 Cradle Songs. 

Prize them as rich odours, meet 
For Love to lavish on His Sacred Feet ; — 

Prize them as sparkles bright 
Of heavenly dew from yon o'erflowing well of light. 



Cradle Songs. 49 



8. 



CHILDREN WITH DUMB CREATURES. 

"The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned 
child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den." 

Thou mak'st me jealous, Infant dear ; 

Why wilt thou waste thy precious smiles, 
Thy beckonmgs blithe, and joyous wiles, 
On bird or insect gliding near ? 

Why court the deaf and blind ? 
What is this wondrous sympathy, 
That draws thee so, heart, ear, and eye, 
Towards the inferior kind ? 

We tempt thee much to look and sing, — 
Thy mimic notes are rather drawn 
From feathered playmates on the lawn. 

The quivering moth or bee's soft wing, 



50 Cradle Songs. 

Brushing the window pane, 
Will reach thee in thy dreamy trance, 
When nurses' skill for one bright glance 

Hath toil'd an hour in vain. 



And as thou hold'st the creatures dear, 
So are they fain on thee to wait. 
Blood-hounds at thy caress abate 
Their bayings wild ; yea without fear 
Thou dalliest in the lair 
Of watch-dog stern ; thy mother's eye 
Shrinks not to see thee slumbering lie 
Beneath his duteous care. 

The war-horse treads full soft, they say, 
If in his path a babe he see. 
The Tiger's whelp, encaged with thee, 
Would sheathe his claws, to sport and play. 
Bees have for thee no sting : — 
They love thy trusting heart too well, 
That mightier guard than fairy spell 
Of old, or magic ring. 



Children with Dumb Creatures. 51 

Oh, who the secret powers hath traced, 
That in such league mysterious bind 
The gentlest with the fiercest kind, 
The sheepfold with the howling waste ? 

Is it, that each and all 
The living sympathize with life ? — 
That sudden movements, though in strife, 
The entranced thought recall ? 

He whom the burning East hath bred, 
Wizard or sage, in day-dreams wild, 
Might say, " Dim memories haunt the child, 
Of lives in other beings led, 

Other, and yet the same. 
Nor less an instinct true, though blind, 
Dwells in the soul of meaner kind, 
Spark of past hope or shame." 

Nay, call it recollection deep 

Of Eden bowers, — high purity 

Beaming around from brow or eye 
Of infants, waking or asleep : — 



52 Cradle Songs. 

As in old time, we read, 
The royal lion bending low 
Did Una's virgin-glory know, 

Her guardian prove in need. 



Of homage paid in Paradise 

To Adam, guileless then and pure, 
The broken dream may yet endure 
Within them — visions vague arise 
Of a Superior Power, 
Discern'd by form erect, and mien 
Commanding, its calm purpose seen 
In eyes that smile or lower. 

Thus tender babes and beasts of prey 
May silently each other mind 
Of the old League : " Let man be kind 
And true, so all must him obey." 
Thus giants of the wood, 
Wild elephant or mountain bull, 
Beneath some quiet stripling's rule 
Stant quailing and subdued. 



Children with dumb Creatures. 53 

Who knows but here, in mercy lent, 
A gleam preventing heaven we see, 
A token of Love's victory 
In a sweet awful Sacrament ? 
Hearts fallen and sin-born, 
Oh, why are ye so fondly stirr'd ? 
For bounding lamb or lonely bird 
Why should ye joy or mourn ? 

Ah, you have been in Jesus' arms, 
The holy Fount hath you imbued 
With His all-healing kindly Blood, 
And somewhat of His pastoral charms, 
And care for His lost sheep, 
Ye there have learn'd : in order'd tones 
Gently to soothe the lesser ones, 
And watch their noon-day sleep. 

Lo, far and wide the Love o'erflows, 
The Love that to your souls He gave 
In the regenerating wave ; — 

Both man and beast His mercy knows : — 



54 Cradle Songs. 

Nor from His pattern swerve 
His children, tending lamb or dove : — 
But aye the choice of all your love 

Ye for His Least reserve. 

To point the way where they should go, 
By word and gesture, o'er and o'er, 
Teach them untir'd, all courteous lore, 
Hear their first prayers, so meek and low 
These are your arts : by these 
Ye in the fold your task fulfil, 
And the Good Shepherd on the hill 
From far approving sees. 



Cradle Songs, 55 



LIFTING UP THE CROSS. 

" But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to 
drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism 
that 1 am baptized with 1 They say unto him, We are able." — Matt. xx. 22. 

Oft have I read of sunny realms, where skies are pure 

at even, 
And sight goes deep in lucid air, and earth seems 

nearer Heaven, 
And wheresoe'er you lift your eyes, the holy Cross, 

they say, 
Stands guardian of your journey, by lone or crowded 

way; 
And I have mused how awfully its shadows and its 

gleams 
Might haply fall on infants' eyes, and mingle with their 

dreams, 
And draw them up by silent power of its o'er-shading 

arm, 
And deepen on the tender brow Christ's seal and saint- 
ly charm. 



56 Cradle Songs. 

Oft have 1 read, and dream'd, and now behold a token 
true ! 

A maiden from a distant isle, where Faith is fresh of 
hue, 

Where Memory tarries, to reprove our cold irreverent 
age, 

In churches set like stars around some saintly her- 
mitage ; — 

Where old Devotion lingers beside the granite cross, 

And pilgrims seek the healing well, far over moor and 
moss, 

A noble-hearted maiden, from a believing shore, 

Is by, to see Christ's little ones Him crucified 
adore. 

Upon a verdant hillock the sacred sign appears, 

A damsel on no trembling arm an eager babe up- 

rears, 
With a sister's yearning love, and an elder sister's 

pride, 
She lifts the new-baptized, to greet the Friend who for 

him died. 



Lifting up the Cross. 57 

Who may the maiden's thought divine, performing thus 



in sight 



Of all the heavenly watchers her pure unbidden rite ? 

While fearless to those awful lips her treasure she 
would raise, 

I see her features smile, as though she fain would down- 
ward gaze. 

Perchance a breath of self-reproach is fluttering round 

her heart, 
Thou, darling, in our Saviour mayst for certain claim 

thy part : 
The dews baptismal bright and keen are glistening on 

thy brow, 
He cannot choose but own thee, in His arms received 

e'en now. 
But much I've sinn'd and little wept : will He not say, 

" Begone ?" 
I dare not meet His searching eye j my penance is un- 
done. 
But thou and thy good angel, who nerves mine arm to 

bear 
And lift thee up so near Him, will strive for me in 

prayer. 4* 



58 Cradle Songs. 

Or chanced the thorny crown her first upseeking glance 

to win, 
And the deep lines of agony traced by the whole 

world's sin ? 
Oh, deeply in her bosom went the thought, " Who draw 

so nigh 
Unto those awful lips, and share the Lord's departing 

sigh, 
Who knoweth what mysterious pledge upon their souls 

is bound, 
To copy in their own hearts' blood each keen and bitter 

wound ? 
If of the dying Jesus we the Kiss of Peace receive, 
How but in daily dying thenceforward dare we live ? 

"And was it meet ? thou tender flower, on thy young 

life to lay 
Such burdens, pledging thee to vows thou never canst 

unsay ? 
What if the martyr's fire some day thy dainty limbs 

devour ? 
What if beneath the scourge they writhe, or in dull 

famine cower ? 



Lifting up the Cross. 59 

What if thou bear the cross within, all aching and 

decay, 
And 'twas I that laid it on thee : — what if thou fall 

away ?" 
Such is Love's deep misgiving, when, stronger far than 

Faith, 
She brings her earthly darlings to the cross for life or 

death. 



O, be Thou present in that hour, high Comforter, to 
lead 

Her memory to th' eternal Law, by the great King 
decreed, 

What time the highly favoured one who on His bosom 
lay, 

And He who of the chosen twelve first trode the mar- 
tyr's way, 

Taught by their mother, crav'd the boon next to Thy 
throne to be, 

For her dreams were of the Glory, but the Cross she 
could not see. 



60 Cradle Songs. 

O well for that fond mother, well for her belov'd, that 

they, 
When the hour His secret meaning told, did by their 

promise stay. 



" Thy baptism and Thy cup be ours, for both our hearts 

are strong." 
Learn it, ye babes, at matin prime, repeat it all day 

long. 
Even as the mother's morning kiss is token of delight 
Through all the merry hours of day, and at fall of dewy 

night 
Her evening kiss shall to her babe the softest slumbers 

seal, 
So Thy first greeting life imparts, Thy last shall cheer 

and heal. 
Then, maiden, trust thy nursling here ; thou wilt not 

choose amiss 
For his sweet soul ; here let him dwell ; here is the 

sate of bliss. 



Lifting up the Cross. 61 

Three Saints of old their lips upon the Incarnate 

Saviour laid, 
And each with some deep agony for the high rapture 

paid. 
[lis mother's holy kisses of the coming sword gave 

sign, 
And Simeon's hymn full closely did with his entwine ; 
And Magdalen's first tearful touch prepared her but to 

greet, 
With homage of a broken heart his pierced and lifeless 

feet. 
Then courage, duteous maiden ; the nails and bleeding 

brows, 
The pale and dying lips, are the portion of the Spouse. 



62 Cradle Songs. 



10. 



SICKNESS IN THE CRADLE. 

" A christian child in pain ! 
O sad amazing thought ! 
A babe elect and born again, 

With blood of Jesus bought, 
That never yet knew dream of sin, 
Nor throb of pride, nor will unclean ; 
Yet faint with fever see him lie, 
Or in strong grasp of sinners' agony !" 

O, mother fond and wild, 
Stay the complaining word ! 
What wouldst thou have ? Thy suffering child 

Is as his Saviour Lord. 
Or ever eight brief days have flown, 
He, the unstain'd, must make His moan, 
Must taste the sacrificial knife, 
Must to the Cross devote the tender life. 



Sickness in the Cradle. 63 

Behold, the virgin blest 
Calls on her babe to wake 
From His sweet slumber on her breast ; 

How should her heart not ache ? 
From her pure bosom, where all night 
He softly slept, that maiden bright 
Resigns her well-beloved at morn 
To shed His blood ; for therefore was He born. 

Pierc'd is her heart, yet still — 
For why ? that mother's love 
Is one with His Almighty will, 

Chang'd by the o'ershadowing Dove. 
O freely then your treasures yield, 
With the dread Cross so lately seal'd, 
Yield to the chastenings of th' Unseen, 
The Saviour's Presence-tokens, sweet as keen. 



64 Cradle Songs. 



11. 



ANTICIPATION AND RETROSPECTION. 

" And ye now therefore have sorrow ; but I will see you again, and your 
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."— John xvi. 22. 

A fragment of a rainbow bright 

Through the moist air I see, 
All dark and damp on yonder height, 

All clear and gay to me. 

An hour ago the storm was here, 

The gleam was far behind. 
So will our joys and griefs appear 

When earth has ceased to blind. 

Grief will be joy, if on its edge 

Fall soft that holiest ray ; 
Joy will be grief, if no faint pledge 

Be there of heavenly day. 



Anticipation and Retrospection. 65 

Christ's Passion's eve fell dark and drear 

Upon His faithful few, 
But brighter, each returning year, 

In memory glean'd anew. 

And loud the chant of hope and glee 

O'er Adam's eldest born. 
But, hapless mother, who like thee 

Her travail pangs might mourn ? 



36 Cradle Songs. 



12. 



JUDAS'S INFANCY. 

" The Son of man goeth as it is written of him : but woe unto that man 
by whom the Son of man is betrayed ! it had been good for that man if he 
had not been born." — Matt. xxvi. 24. 

Alas ! that o'er the pangs of birth, 

The consecrated throes, whereby 
Eden revives, should breed on earth 

Untemper'd agony ! 

Yet sure as frail repenting Eve 
For pardon knelt of yore, and now 

Adoring kneels, there to receive, 
Where all the world shall bow, 

From fruit of her own favour'd womb, 

The peace, the home, her wandering lost : — 

Sure as to blessed Mary come 
The Saints' and Martyr's host, 



Judas's Infancy. 67 

To own, with many a thankful strain, 

The Channel of undying bliss, 
The bosom where the Lord hath laid, 

The hand that held by His ; — 

Sure as her form for evermore 

The glory and the joy shall wear, 
That rob'd her, bending to adore 

The babe her chaste womb bare ; — 

So surely throes unblest have been, 

And cradles where no kindly star 
Look'd down — no Angel's eye serene, 

To gleam through years afar. 

Did not our Lord speak out His ban, 
The Christ for His betrayer mourn ? 

" Alas ! good were it for that man 
If he had ne'er been born." 

Nor may we doubt, His Mother mild 

Upon that bosom pitying thought, 
Where Judas lay, a harmless Child, 

By gold as yet unbought. 



68 Cradle Songs. 

But Time, as holy sages sing, 

When earth and sin have waxed old, 

A direr progeny will bring, 
The last foe of the fold. 

Of mortal seed, of woman bred, 
The Antichrist, they write, will be, 

From a soft bosom duly fed, 
Rock'd on a loving knee. 

High grace at first to Judas came — 
Who knows but he, the Man of Sin, 

[n the baptismal wave and flame 
May his dread cause begin ? 

O ye who wait with hearts too light 

By Font or Cradle, fear in time ! 
O let not all your dreams be bright, 

Here in Earth's wayward clime ! 

From the foul dew, the blighting air, 
Watch well your treasure newly won. 

Heaven's child and yours, uncharm'd by prayer, 
May prove Perdition's son. 



Cradle Songs. 69 



13. 
THE SAINT'S INFANCY. 

" And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face 
as it had been the face of an angel." 

Where is the brow to bear in mortals' sight 
The Crown of pure angelic Light ? 
And where the favoured eye 

Through the dim air the radiance to descry ? 
An infant on its mother smiling, 
Wash'd from the world and sin's defiling, 
And to Faith's arm restored, while yet 
With the blest dew its cheeks are wet. — 

Then Christ hath sworn seraphic Light shall be, 
There, eyes the Light to see. 

He who vouchsafed to kindle that pure glow 
Will feed it night and day, we know, 
By duteous fear of sin 
Fann'd into flame the virgin heart within, 



70 Cradle Songs. 

Till once again at Angel's warning 
Heaven-gates shall part as clouds of morning, 
And the confirming Spirit pour 
His glory where young hearts adore : 
There is Heaven's Light ; there, if true Pastors be, 
Are eyes, the Light to see. 

And what if there some favoured one should kneel, 
Whom in His time the Lord will seal, 
High in the Mount to draw 

Light uncorrupt from His pure fontal Law, 
Then 'mid his brethren bear unknowing 
The lustre keen within him glowing, 
But veil it, when he feels their gaze, 
As Moses veil'd the Sinai rays ? 

Blest, who so shines : and blest the thoughtful few, 
Who see that brightness true. 

Wouldst thou the tide of grace should higher flow, 
The angelic ray more glorious show ? 
Wait for His trial hour, 
His willing Saints in His dread day of Power. 



The Saint's Infancy. 71 

Ever as earth's wild war-cries heighten, 
The Cross upon the brow will brighten, 
Till on the very scorner's gaze 
Break forth the Heaven-reflecting rays, 
Strange awful charms the unwilling eye compel 
On the Saints' Light to dwell. 

Yes : strive, thou world, in thy rash tyrant mood, 
To slake that burning Cross in blood : — 
It will but brighter burn, 

As martyr's eyes near and more near discern 
Where on the Father's right hand burning, 
Light upon Light in glory streaming, 
The Saviour, felt, not seen in life, 
Deigns to be seen in that last strife, 

And angels hail, approaching to the shore, 
Rays like their own, and more. 

Who knows but maiden mild or smiling boy, 
Our own entrusted care and joy, 
By His electing grace 
May with His martyrs find their glorious place ? 



72 Cradle Songs. 

O hope, for prayer too bold and thrilling, 
O bliss, to aid its high fulfilling ! 
O woe and wrong, O tenfold shame, 
To mar or damp the angelic flame ! 
To draw His soldiers backward from the Cross ! 
Woe and eternal loss ! 



Cradle Songs. 73 

14. 

THE CRADLE GUARDED. 

" Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and 
gather his wheat into the garner ; but he will burn up the chaff with un- 
quenchable fire. As therefore the tares are gathered, and burned in the fire, 
so shall it be in the end of this world."— St. Matt. iii. 12.— xiii. 40. 

The Lord, th' All-gracious, hides not all His Ire : 
Through the dim chinks of this decaying earth 

Gleams ever and anon th' unwasted fire 

Startling rude eyes, and shaming lawless mirth. 

Even in the joy of Harvest, see, His Brand 
Over the chaff is kindling ; sheaves for food 

And tares for fire, He binds in equal band. 
At vintage time His robes are rolled in blood. 

His Angels and His Saints cry out, How long ? 

His Little ones, full keenly are they bent 
To right the fallen and redress the wrong, 

Full eagerly to justice run unsent. 



74 Cradle Songs. 

These are Thy tokens, all-redeeming Lord ; 

Where, but of Thee, learn'd we aright to name 
The last dire prison ? Thine the distant word 

Thine the undying worm, th' unquenched flame. 

Therefore Thy duteous Spouse, our Mother dear, 
Tuning her love-notes to the Father's voice, 

Is fain to breathe grave warnings in deep fear, 
And say to Sin, Hell is thine hopeless choice ! 

The strain Love taught her, she in love repeats ; 

Call it not hard, if in each holiest hour, 
When with unwonted joy her King she greets, 

With His own threatenings she would fence His 
bower. 

Call it not stern, though to her Babes she shew 
The smoke aye glaring o'er th' abode of ill ; 

Though guileless hearts, even in their vernal glow, 
Hear now and then her thunders, and are still. 

Might the calm smile, that on the infant's brow 
So brightly beams, all its deep meaning tell, 

Would it not say, " For Love's sweet sake allow 
Fear's chastening Angel here with me to dwell 1 



The Cradle Guarded. 75 

Was not the purchase of my quiet bliss 
A life-long anguish and a cross of woe 1 

O ! much I fear the mountain-path to miss, 
If from my sight I lose the gulph below. 55 

Such lesson learn we by the cradle 5 s side, 

Nor other teach dark hills and valleys deep : 
Where rude rocks fiercest frown, and waters chide, 
% 5 Tis but to guard the green mead's lowly sleep. 

There is a peak — the raven loves it well, 

And all the mists of neighbouring ocean love, 

Which if you climb, what seem'd a pinnacle 

Proves as a wide sea-beach where cormorants rove. 

Rocks showered at random, as by giant hands, 
Strew the rude terrace : — heedful be his eye, 

And firm his step, who on the dark edge stands 
Beneath the cloud, and downward dares espy. 

" What seest thou there ?' 5 a thousand feet below, 
And further on, far as the mists that sweep 

Around me suffer, dimly trac'd in snow, 
Pale forms I see, reclining on the steep. 



76 Cradle Songs. 

Each in his drear ravine, where never ray- 
Even from the cold north-east in June might fall, 

They sleep in silence till th' appointed Day, 

Nor heed the Eagle's scream, the whirlwind's call. 

The wastes of vapour, veering round, now hide 
And now reveal the watchers dark and vast, 

Which by each awful resting-place abide, — 

Grim towering crags : — who there his eye shall cast, 

With aught of sin's sad burthen on his soul, 
Feels he not like a powerless child forlorn, 

Over a gulf where flaming billows roll 

By a strong outstretch 'd arm as yet upborne ? 

O surely then to his heart's deep is brought 
The prayer, the vow, there evermore to cling, 

And sickening turn from the wild heavenly thought, 
" What if at once o'er the dread verge I spring V 

Retiring, sure he to a warning voice 

Will time his footsteps, on a true arm lean : 

What happy vale soe'er may crown his choice, 
That awful gulf, those rocks will be its screen. 



The Cradle Guarded, 77 

Lo, nestling at the mountain's further base, 

And guarded by its terrors, a soft glen : 
Its waters run a golden gladsome race, 

Its windings hide meet homes for pastoral men. 

Lord, if in such calm bowers a rest Thou give, 
We pray Thee, crown thy gift with Fear, that we 

May in the shadow of thy judgments live, 
The wrath o'ertake us on our bended knee. 



%%%. €arlg Encouragement 

i. 

TRUSTWORTHINESS. 
" The child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem." 

The cares, the loves of parents fond 
Go deep, all loves, all cares beyond. 
Fain would they read the good and ill 
That nestles in our silent will, 

And night and day 

They wish and pray 
That only good may there find way. 

But deeper lurk all breasts within 
The secrets both of grace and sin. 
Each has his world of thought alone, 
To one dread Watcher only known. 

And far and wide 

On every side 
Our dreams dart on — no earthly guide. 



Trustworthiness. 79 

Glad may they be and calm of heart, 
Who, when their child too walks apart, 
Seek him and find where angels come 
On Jesus' work, in Jesus' Home : 

Who, out of sight, 

Know all is right, 
One law for darkness and for light. 

If in pure aims and deeds and prayers 
His path mount high, and far from theirs, 
If seeking him 'mid friends below 
They find him not, what joy to know 

He hath but turn'd 

Where Jesus yearn'd 
To be ; — where heavenly Love is learn'd ! 

Thou who didst teach Thy mother dear, 
In three dim days of doubt and fear, 
By timely training to foreknow 
Thy Passion and its three days' woe, 

Prepare Thou still 

Our heart and will, 
And hearts that are as ours, for good and ill. 



80 Early Encouragements. 



2. 
SAMUEL'S PRAYER. 

With joy the guardian angel sees 
A duteous child upon his knees, 
And writes in his approving book 
Each upward, earnest, holy look. 

Light from his pure aerial dream 
He springs to meet morn's orient beam 
And pours towards the kindling skies 
His clear adoring melodies. 

Some glorious Seraph, waiting by, 
Receives the prayer to waft on high, 
And wonders as he soars, to read 
More than we know, and all we need. 

More than we know, and all we need, 
Is in young children's prayer and creed. 
They, for their Home, before Him fall, 
He, for His Church, receives their call. 



SamueVs Prayer. 81 

They cry with simple voice and clear, 
" Bless Father, Mother, Brethren dear :" 
He for the Priests of His dread Son 
Accounts the blessing ask'd and won. 

For holy Priests and Matrons mild, 
For penitents and undefiled, 
For dying Saints, for babes new-born, 
He takes their offering, eve and morn. 

He gives the frail and feeble tongue 
A doom to speak on sin and wrong ; 
Unconscious they stern lightnings aim, 
When His ten Precepts they proclaim. 

Thus in the Tabernacle shade 
At morn and. eve young Samuel pray'd, 
Nor knew his prayer God's ark should win, 
Forfeit by Priest's and people's sin. 

To Eli thus dread words he spake : — 
Ye hearts profane, with penance ache ; — 
A wondrous peal o'er Israel rung, 

Heaven's thunder from a child's meek tongue. 
5* 



82 Early Encouragement. 



PRAYER AT HOME AND IN CHURCH. 

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with 
the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." 

Where are the homes of paschal mirth, 
The bowers where heavenly Joy may rest her wings 
on earth, 
And at her leisure gaze adoring 
Where out of sight the golden clouds are soaring 
Beneath the ascending Saviour's Feet ? 
Where may rejoicing Love retreat 
To frame a melody for His returning meet ? 

Two homes we know of Love's resort, 
One in the upper room, one in the Temple court : 
In glorious Sion both, possessing 
Alike her presence, whom the awful blessing 
Lifted above all Adam's race : — 
The royal Twelve are there in place ; 
Women and duteous friends, awaiting His high 
grace. 



Prayer at Home and in Church. 83 

Two Homes for us His Love hath found, 
One by our quiet couch and one in holy ground. 
There in due season meekly kneeling 

Learn we our lesson ere His last revealing. 
The Mother of our Lord is there, 
And Saints are breathing hallow'd air, 

Living and dead, to waft on high our feeble prayer. 

And with His Mother and His Saints 
He watches by, who loves the prayer that never faints. 
Avaunt, ill thoughts, and thoughts of folly ! 
Where christen 'd infants sport, that floor is holy : 
Holier the station where they bow, 
Adoring Him with daily vow, 
Till He with ampler grace their youthful hearts 
endow. 



84 Early Encouragement. 



SELF-EXAMINATION. 

"And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me 
to do 1 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall 
be told thee what thou must do." 

" What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord ?" 

Darkling he spoke and lowly laid, 
With all his heart he spake the word, 

The awful Voice mild answer made : 
" Go, seek one out who thee may bring 
Where healing, holy waters spring, 
Then will I show thee speedily 
What burthen thou must bear for Me." 

" What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord ?" 

Each morn and eve we seem to say, 
And He gives back no doubtful word : 

" Remember, little child, all day, 
Thine early vows, the hallow'd wave 
Where Jesus first His blessing gave : 
There stoop, there cleanse thee every hour : 
Christ's Laver hath refreshing power." 



Self -Examination. 85 

"What wouldst Thou have me do, Lord ?" 

Rise, little child, and onward go, 
Where Saints are met with one accord 

The praises of high God to show. 
In meekness learn their prayer and song, 
Do as they do, and thou ere long 
Shalt see the wonders they behold 
In heavenly books and creeds of old. 

" What wouldst Thou have me do, O L6rd V 
So whispering, Saul with prostrate brow 

The persecuted One adored, 

So breathed his earliest Christian vow. 

Stern the reply : — to fast alone, 

And in the darkness make his moan. 

Thrice set and rose the weary day 

Ere with the Christians he might pray. 

" What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord ?" 
Think, little child — thy conscience try, 

Rebellious deed and idle word, 

And selfish thought and envious eye :• — 



86 Early Encouragement. 

Hast thou no mark of these ? and yet 
Full in thy sight His Law was set. 
O, if He joy'd the Cross to bear, 
With patience take thy little share. 



Early Encouragement. 87 



5. 



CONFESSION. 

" And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the 
cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of 
the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden." 

Didst thou not hear how soft the dav-wind sighed, 
How from afar that sweeping breath it drew, 

Waved the light rustling branches far and wide, 
Then died away, then rose and moaned anew ? 

Sure if aright our morning prayers were said, 
We in those tones the Almighty's unseen walk 

Shall hear, nor vainly shun the Presence dread, 
Which comes in mercy with our souls to talk. 

" Where art thou, child of earth ? " He seems to say, 
11 Why hide so deep from Love's all-seeing eye ?" — 

• I heard and feared, for I have sinned to-day." — 
" What ? know'st thou not the Almighty One was by ? 



88 Early Encouragement. 

" Think'st thou to lurk in yonder wavering boughs, 
Where even these earthly sunbeams glide and steal. 

Nay, speed thee forth while yet high grace allows, 
Lay bare thy wounds to Hirn who waits to heal. 

" They only rankle in th' unwholesome shade ; 

But sun and air have soothing power, and He 
Yearns to forgive, when hearts are lowly laid. 

Even now behold His robe prepared for thee. 

" These fluttering leaves the more unveil thy shame. 

Fall humbly down, and hide thine eyes in dust : 
He will upraise thee, for His own great Name, 

His penance garb will make and show thee just." 



Early Encouragement. 89 



TELL THY MOTHER. 

1 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.' 

Weary soul and burthened sore, 

Labouring with thy secret load, 
Fear not all thy grief to pour 

In this heart, true Love's abode. 

Think not all is hidden quite : 

Mothers' ears are keen to hear, 
Mothers' eyes are quick as light, 

Glancing wide and watching near. 

I with boding anguish read 

Half your tale ere ye begin : 
Bitter drops in heart I bleed, 

Penance for your shame and sin. 



90 Early Encouragement. 

Grudge not thou thine eyes to hide 
On this breast that aches for thee : 

Patient, kneeling, here abide 
Till th' absolving Voice is free. 

I from tny baptismal hour 

Yearn for thee, hard heart and dry : 
Seek my penitential bovver, 

In the dust beside me lie. 



Early Encouragement. 91 

7. 

ABSOLUTION 

" Whose sins ye forgive, they are forgiven.' 

Live ever in my heart, sweet awful hour, 
When prostrate in my sin and shame I lay, 

And heard the absolving accents fall with power, 
As soft, as keen, as lambent lightning's play. 

And sure with lightning glance they seem'd to thrill, 
(O may the dream prove true !) and search and burn 

Each foul dark corner of my lawless will, 
What if the Spirit griev'd did then return ? 

fear, O joy to think ! and what if yet, 

In some far moment of eternity, 
The love of evil I may quite forget, 

And with the pure in heart my portion be ! 

Live in my heart, dread blissful hope, to tame 
The haughty brow, to curb the unchastened eye, 

And shape to deeds of good each wavering aim ; 
O teach me some true penance ere I die ! 



92 Early Encouragement. 



HOURS OP PRAYER. 

" Evening, and morning, and at noonday will I pray." 

Down, slothful heart ! how darest thou say, 
" Call not so oft to pray ?" 

Behold, the Lord's own bounteous showers 
Keep their appointed hours. 

The forenoon saw the Spirit first 

On orphan'd Saints in glory burst ; 

At noontide hour Saint Peter saw 
The sheet let down, heavenward all earth to draw ; 
At eventide, when good Cornelius kneePd 
Upon his fasting day, an angel shone revealed. 

Untired is He in mercy's task, 

Then tire not thou to ask. 
He says not, " Yesterday I gave, 

Wilt thou for ever crave ?" 



Hours of Prayer. 93 

He every moment waits to give, 

Watch thou unwearied to receive. 

Thine Hours of Prayer, upon the Cross 
To Him were hours of woe and shame and loss ; 
Scourging at morn ; at noon, pierced hands and feet ; 
At eve, fierce pains of death, for thee He counted 
sweet. 

The blue sky o'er the green earth bends, 

All night the dew descends : 
The green earth to the blue heaven's ray 

Its bosom spreads all day, 
Earth answers heaven — the holy race 
Should answer His unfailing grace. 
Then smile, low world, in spite or scorn, 
We to our God will kneel ere prime of morn ; 
The third, the sixth, the ninth — each Passion hour, — 
We with high praise will keep, as He with gifts of 
power. 



94 Early Encouragements. 



REPEATING THE CREED. 

" Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory 
that overcometh the world, even our faith." 

Many the banners bright and fair, 

Uplifted in the gleaming sky, 
When Faith would show this lower air 

The token of her victory. 

The heaven-enlightened eye and mind, 

By meek confession purified, 
Gazes on high, nor fails to find 

Which way the signs celestial guide. 

One bodies forth a virgin Form, 

Holding aloft a cross of might, 
And watching, how through cloud and storm 
* Its head is lost in deepening light. 

Another dreams, by night and day, 

Of a calm Prophet's voice, intent 
To hear what God the Lord shall say, 

Ere the dread tones be gone and spent. 



Repeating the Creed. 

An Eagle from the deep of space 
Is hovering near, and hastes to bring 

(Meetest the unearthly tale to trace,) 
A plume of his mysterious wing. 

A golden Chalice standing by 

What mantles there is life or death ; 

A Dragon to the unpurged eye, 

A Serpent from the Cross, to Faith. 

O visions dread and bright, I feel 
You are too high for me, I seek 

A lowlier impress for my seal, 

More of this earth, though pure and meek. 

Give me a tender spotless child, 

Rehearsing or at eve or morn 
His chant of glory undefiled, 

The Creed that with the Church was born. 

Down be his earnest forehead cast, 
His slender finger! joined for prayer, 

With half a frown his eye sealed fast 
Against the world's intruding glare. 



96 Early Encouragement, 

Who, while his lips so gently move, 
And all his look is purpose strong, 

Can say what wonders, wrought above, 
Uoon his unstained fancy throng ? 

The world new-framed, the Christ new-born, 
The Mother-maid, the cross and grave, 

The rising sun on Easter morn, 

The fiery tongues sent down to save, 

The gathering Church, the Fount of Life, 
The saints and mourners kneeling round, 

The day to end the body's strife, 
The Saviour in His people crowned, 

All in majestic march and even 
To the veil'd eye by turns appear, 

True to their time as stars in heaven, 
No morning dream so still and clear. 

And this is Faith, and thus she wins 
Her victory, day by day rehearsed. 

Seal but thine eye to pleasant sins, 

Love's glorious world will on thee burst. 



Early Encouragement. 97 

10. 
LESSONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

{For St. Luke's Day.) 

Mother of Christ's children dear, 
Teacher true of loving Fear, 
Kind Physician, wakeful Nurse, 
Went with many a potent verse 
By our cradles watch to keep, 
Singing new born Saints to sleep \ 
Be thy tenderest breath to-day 
Breathed on all we sing or say, 
For to-day that Saint we own, 
Who to Jesus' cradle-throne 
Led us first, with shepherds mild, 
With that mother undefiled, 
There to adore the wondrous child. 

Spouse of Christ, so pure and bright, 

Skill'd by His unearthly light, 

In our coarse dim air to trace 

Lines and hues from yon high place, 
6 



98 Early Encouragement. 

Gathering tones from earth and sky 
For His perfect harmony : — 
As to-day thou guid'st our thought 
Where that holy Painter wrought, 
Who with pen and pencil true 
Christ's own awful Mother drew ; 
Be thy prayer untired and strong, 
That when eager fancies throng, 
Pure may be our dream and song. 

Watcher of the eternal ways, 
Trusted with the Saints' high praise, 
Oft as o'er our childish trance 
History bids her visions glance — 
Wondrous wild in airy measures, 
Records grave from Memory's treasures,- 
Guide thou well the heart- winning line, 
May our love and hate be thine. 
He whose tongue of Jesus told 
On His Cross and in His Fold, 
Third of the mysterious Four, — 
Learn we all his sacred lore, 
Listening at the Kingdom's door. 



Early Encouragement. 99 

10. 
UNWEARIED LOVE. 

" Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times ; but, Until 
seventy times seven." 

My child, the counsels high attend 

Of thine Eternal Friend. 
When longings pure, when holy prayers, 
When self-denying thoughts and cares 

Room in thine heart would win, 
Stay not too long to count them o'er ; 
Rise in His Name ; throw wide the door, 

Let the good angels in : 

Nor listen, shouldfthe Tempter say, 

" How wearying, day by day, 
To say the prayer we said before, 
The mountain path climb o'er and o'er 

No end to warfare find !" 
Nor seek thou, limit to discern 
In patient woe, in duty stern, 

But learn thy Mother's mind. 



*100 Unwearied Love. 

She will not live on thee to wait 

In early hour or late : 
To-morrow even as yesterday 
Still onward, onward in Love's way 

To speed, her only dream. 
So many love-deeds done, to cease 
Her kindly toil, and rest in peace, 

Small joy to her would seem. 

And He, the Fountain of her Love, 

His treasure-house above 
Is open, day and night, with store 
Of healing for our daily sore, 

With grace to mourners given, 
O'er-powering by the tide of tears 
All that from old abhorred years 
Remains of wasting leaven. 

He pardoning wearies not. Ah why 

Behold with evil eye 
Thy brother asking grace for sin ? 
He doth but aid thee, more to win 



Unwearied Love. 101 



Of hope in thy last end. 
In heart forgive — that pays Him all : 
But grudging souls must die in thrall, 

No Saviour and no friend. 



i. 

EFFECT OF EXAMPLE. 

" For 1 have five brethren ; that he may testify unto them lest they also 
come into this place of torment." 

Five loving souls, each one as mine, 
And each for evermore to be ! 
Each deed of each to thrill 

For good or ill 
Along thine awful line. 
Eternity ! 

Who for such burthen may suffice ? 
Who bear to think, how scornful tone, 
Or word or glance too bold, 

Or ill dream told, 
May bar from Paridise 
Our master's own ? 



Early Warnings, 103 

We scatter seeds with careless hand, 

And dream we ne'er shall see them more : 
But for a thousand years 

Their fruit appears, 
In weeds that mar the land, 
Or healthful store. 

The deeds we do, the words we say, — 
Into still air they seem to fleet, 
We count them ever past ; 

But they shall last, 
In the dread judgment they 
And we shall meet ! 

I charge thee by the years gone by, 
For the love's sake of brethren dear, 
Keep thou the one true way 

In work and play, 
Lest in that world their cry 
Of woe thou hear ! 



104 Early Warnings. 

2. 

DANGER OF PRAISE. 
" And he confessed, and denied not ; but confessed, I am not the Christ.* 

When mortals praise thee, hide thine eyes, 

Nor in thy Master's wrong 
Take to thyself His crown and prize ; 

Yet more in heart than tongue. 

None holier than the Desert Priest 

Beneath the Law's dim sky, 
Yet in Heaven's kingdom with the least, 

We read, he might not vie. 

No member, yet, of Christ the Son, 

No gospel Prophet he ; 
Only a voice from out the Throne 

Of dread yet blest decree. 

If he confessed, nor dared deny, 

Woe to that Christian's heart, 
Who in man's praise would walk on high, 

And steal his Saviour's part ! 



Danger of Praise. 105 



And ah ! to him what tenfold woe, 
Who hides so well his sin, 

Through earth he seems a saint to go, 
Yet dies impure within ! 

Pray we our Lord, one pang to send 

Of deep remorseful fear 
For every smile of partial friend. — 

Praise be our Penance here ! 

6* 



106 Early Warnings. 



ENVY. 



" If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted 1 and if thou doest not well, 
sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule 
over him." 



" What is this cloud upon thy brow ?" 
" The Lord accepts my brother's vow, 

But turns no ear to mine. 
High in the liquid heaven behold 
His altar-flames in many an airy fold, 
But where I kneel, the Almighty makes no sign." 

" Yes : welcome to the pure bright air, 

And dear to Angels, is his prayer, 
For the sweet fragrance' sake 

Of loving deeds : bring thou the same, 
Thine altar too shall feel the gracious flame : 
Haste, ere the monster at thy door awake. 



Envy. 107 

Beside thine hearth, thine home within, 

Lies couched and still a deadly sin, 
O chain it while 'tis time. 

Learn on thy brother's joy to gaze 
With thankful eye ; and heaven's high counsel praise, 
That crowned him with the forfeit of thy crime. 

Thy forehead yet awhile must bear 

His wrathful mark ; but alms and prayer, 

And penance true and stern, 
May wear it out : thine evil eye 
May melt in dews of holy charity, 
Thy sullen tones to meek confessions turn. 



108 Early Warnings. 

4. 

MISTRUST OF ELDERS. 

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast be- 
lieved : blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." 

When holy books, when loving friends, 

When parents grave and kind 
Tell of the peace the Almighty sends 

On the pure heart and mind, — 

When they, on whom our souls should lean. 

The wondrous joy declare, 
How to God's Altar they have been 

And found their Saviour there, — 

Alas ! too often, worldly wise, 

We scorn what they reveal, 
We will not see with others' eyes, 

Ourselves would touch and feel. 

Thus many a precious day, month, year, 

The blessing we delay : 
It comes at last with saddened cheer, 

He justly dims His ray. 



Mistrust of Elders. 109 

Seven days, we read, a Saint of old 

Dreamed on in doubt alone : 
Seven days of hope and joy untold 

For evermore were gone. 

And when at last the all-gracious Lord 

Vouchsafed the awful sign, 
Made answer to his secret word, 

And showed the Wounds divine, 

Even with that light of love there came 

A soft yet warning cloud, 
A shade of pity more than blame : — 

" Behold thy prayer allowed. 

My glorious Wounds I show to thee, 

Even here in earth's dull light ; 
But happier they who wait to see, 

Till heaven has purged their sight." 

Alas, that man his breath should lose, 

In wayward, doubting race, 
Nor his still home in shelter choose 

Where Thou hast set his place ! 



110 Early Warnings. 



FINE CLOTHES. 

"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way ; others cut 
down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way." 

{For Palm Sunday.) 

Look westward, pensive little one, 
How the bright hues together run, 
Around where late the waning sun 

Sank in his evening cloud. 
Or eastward turn thee, and admire 
How linger yet the showers of fire, 
Deep in each fold, high on each spire 

Of yonder mountain proud. 

Thou seest it not : an envious screen 
A fluttering leaflet, hangs between 
Thee and that fair mysterious scene, 

A veil too near thine eye. 
One finger's breadth at hand will mar 
A world of light in Heaven afar, 
A mote eclipse a glorious star, 

An eyelid hide the sky. 



Fine Clothes. Ill 

And while to clear the view we stay, 
Lo ! the bright hour hath pass'd away ; 
A twilight haze, all dim and grey, 

Hath quench'd the living gleam. 
Remember this, thou little child, 
In hours of Prayer, when fancies wild 
Betwixt thee and thy Saviour mild 

Come floating on life's stream. 

O shame, O grief, when earth's rude toys, 
An opening door, a breath, a noise, • 

Drive from the heart th' eternal joys, 

Displace the Lord of Love ! 
For half a prayer perchance on high 
We soar, and heaven seems bright and nigh, 
But ah ! too soon frail heart and eye 

Sink down and earthward rove. 

The Sunday garment glittering gay 
The Sunday heart will steal away. 
Then haste thee, ere the fond glance stray, 
Thy precious robes unfold, 



112 Early Warnings. 

And cast before thy Saviour's feet : 
Him spare not with thy best to greet, 
Nor dread the dust of Sion's street, 
5 Tis jewels all and gold. 



His very shrines, this week of woe, 
Will doff their rich attire, and show 
As mourners ; fear we then to go 

In glad and festal guise. 
Yea, when the funeral days are o'er, 
• And altars shine in gold once more, 
I bid thee lavish all thy store 
In fearless sacrifice. 

The gorgeous hues by sinners worn, 
Our pride and our good Angel's scorn,- 
His pavement let them now adorn, 

Or with His daylight blend. 
His palace court hath order blest, 
When from His Throne of earthly rest 
In glory beams th' immortal Guest, 

We to the dust descend. 






Early Warnings. 113 



IRREVERENCE IN CHURCH. 

"The Lord is in His holy Temple: let all the earth keep silence before 
Him." 

O grief for Angels to behold 

Within Christ's awful home ! 
A child regenerate here of old, 
And here for lowliest adoration come, 

Forgetting love and fear, 
And with bold eye and tone bringing the rude world 
here! 

Where is the Cross upon thy brow, 

Seal of His Love and Might, 
Whose life-blood earn'd thee power, thy vow 
To keep, and serve Him in His courts aright ? 

Even in His week of grace, 
Thou know'st, His ire brake out for His own holy 
place. 



114 Early Warnings. 

Thrice in those seven dread days, we read, 

He to His Temple came, 
If haply from the wrath decreed 
He might redeem th ? abode of His great Name ; 

With silent warning Eye, 
With scourge in Hand, with doom of thrilling Pro- 
phecy. 

On Sunday eve with many a palm, 

With many a chant divine, 
It came, that Eye so keen and calm, 
Like a still lamp, far searching aisle and shrine. 

Happy the few, that hour, 
Who with adoring hearts kneePd to that gaze of 
power. 

Nor they unblest, the morrow morn, 

Who low before Him lay 
In penitential guise forlorn, 
And for His sounding scourge made duteous way : 

Who at His word their store 
Of earthly goods remov'd, nor ever brought them more. 



Irreverence in Church. 115 

But ah ! no blessing left He then, 
When the third evening fell, 
And o'er the olive-shaded glen 
Came wafted to His Mount His stern farewell. 

" We meet not, till ye own 
The Crucified and scorn'd before the Judgment 
Throne. 55 
m 

No blessing left the Lord of bliss, 

Save on that widow poor, 
Who only ofFer 5 d not amiss, 
Whose praise for aye shall in His Book endure. 

What if the place were doom 5 d ? 
Love will abide the fire : her gift is unconsum'd. 

Thrice warn 5 d the dread departing word 

The city of His choice ; 
And threefold are thy lessons, Lord, 
Even now to reckless eye and heart and voice, 

Why is there silence here ? 
Why hush the prattling babe ? " An unseen Eye we 
fear. 55 



116 Early Warnings. 

What are these frowns, and penal ways 

With rebel hand and tongue ? 
True tokens of the heart's amaze, 
Where waits beside the door the sacred throng, 

By sentence heard in Heaven, 
Of sin-retaining power, out of the Presence driven : 

Driven for awhile : and O ! if yet 
The scornful brow they bend, 
The saintly Thrones are duly set, 
The doom prepar'd, that without hope or end • 

The Temple Roof will draw 
Down on the irreverent head, there lingering without 
awe. 



Early Warnings, 117 



DISRESPECT TO ELDERS. 

" And he went up from thence unto Beth-el : and as he was going up by the 
tvay, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and 
laid unto him, Go up, thou bald-head ; go up, thou bald-head. And he turn- 
id back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord : and 
here came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two chil- 
dren of them. And he went from thence to mount Carmel." 

The Powers of 111 have mysteries of their own, 

Their sacramental signs and prayers, 
Their choral chants in many a winning tone, 

Their watchwords, seals, processions, known 
Far off to friend and foe : their lights and perfum'd 
airs. 

And even as men, where warring hosts abide, 

By faint and silent tokens learn 
At distance whom to trust, from whom to hide, 
So round us set on every side 
Th' aerial sentinels our good and ill discern. 



118 Early Warnings. 

The lawless wish, the unaverted eye, 

Are as a taint upon the breeze, 
To lure foul spirits : haughty brows and high 
Are signals to invite him nigh, 
Whose onset ever Saints await on bended knees. 

Him in some thievish corner of the street 

Full often lurking low we trace, 
When sullen lips our kindly glances meet, 

And looks, that pastoral eyes should greet, 
As flowers the morn, fall coldly, as on empty space. 

His poisonous whisper hath been there, be sure, 

Where childhood's simple courtesies 
Are scorn'd : so trains he up his school impure, 
So may his nursery task inure 
The hearts that by and by against the Church shall 
rise. 

Open their eyes, good Lord, that they may know 

Whose edicts they so dearly hold, 
Making Thy rites a revel and a show, 

Where the rude world may come and go, 
To sit at ease, and judge the Saints and Seers of old. 



Disrespect to Elders, 119 

The stubborn knees with holy trembling smite, 

Which bow not at Thine awful Name. 
Pour from Thine Altar Thine own glorious Light, 
Winning the world-enamour' d sight 
To turn and see which way the healing radiance came. 

O may our fallen land, though late, unlearn 

Her reckless unbelieving heart, 
And in the Gifts, sweet as from Aaron's urn, 
And in the pure white Robe, discern 
Signs lingering, faint and few, ere the last Saint depart. 

O grant us Thy good Angel, evermore 

To wait, with unseen scourge in hand, 
On the Church path, and by the low school door. 
Write in young hearts Thy reverend lore, 
Nor be our christen'd babes as Bethel's lawless band. 

Perhaps among the wailing matrons there 
Was one who to her child had taught 
The ways of scorn, breathing the poison'd air 
Into that bosom fresh and fair 
Which from her own drew life. — Alas ! too well it 
wrought. 



120 Early Warnings. 

Now self- accusing by the drear wood-side 
She ranges where th' avengers came, 

In dreams of penance wandering wild and wide. 
But he, the Healer and the Guide, 
To Carmel top is gone, far from our woe and shame. 

Now from his lips the judgment word hath past, 
The lightning from his awful brow : 

Low on his knees in some bleak cavern cast, 
His prayers go up o'er ocean vast 
For those whom he hath doom'd : he is their Patron now. 

And our Elisha — fails He on the Mount 

To plead, His holy ones to pray 
For rebels and profane ? — O who may count 

The drops from that eternal Fount 
Of heavenly Intercession, welling night and day 1 

Ye fragrant showers, O were it not for you, 
How could we breathe the parched air 
Of the world's freedom, feverish and untrue, 
Withering each soft and kindly hue 
Even in young hearts 1 but ye spring-weather cherish 
there. 



Disrespect to Elders. 121 

Your influence from afar we own and bless, 

When, school- hours past, o'er village green, 

Or homely garden, bright in its May dress, 
Come greetings from a throng and press 
Of little strangers, prompt as fairies round their queen. 

Ever, as up and down our glances go, 
In that fair round we may discern 
A beaming smile and an obeisance low • — 
So forest bluebells in a row 
Stoop to the first May wind, sweeping o'er each in 
turn. 

And here and there, perchance, one graver found 

A comrade's roving eye may school 
To courtesy forgot : — so in each round 
Of duty, here on earth's dull ground, 
Angels with us rehearse their own majestic Rule* 
7 



122 Early Warnings. 

8. 

HOME SICKNESS. 

" If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, 
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot 
be my disciple." 

( For St. Mark's Day.) 

A holy home, young Saint, was thine, 

Child of a priestly line, 
Bred where the vernal midnight air 

Was vocal with the prayer 
Of Christians fresh from Paschal meat, 
With supplication strong and sweet, 
With fast and vigil, in meek strife 

Winning their Pastor's life. 

A holy home, a mother bold, 

Who to the scattered fold 
Threw wide her door at dead of night, 

Nor feared the tyrant's might ; — 
The sister true of him who poured 
His treasure at Thy feet, O Lord : 
The Son of Comfort named was he 

By those who hearts could see. 



Home Sickness. 123 

A holy home, a refuge-bower 

For Saints in evil hour, 
Where child, and slave, and household maid, 

Of their own joy afraid, 
As parent's voice familiar own 
The pastoral Apostolic tone. 
5 Tis heard, and each the race would win 

To tell the news within. 

A holy household ! yet beware ! 

Even here may lurk a snare. 
These home delights, so keen and pure, 

May not for aye endure. 
Ere long, perchance, a sterner sound 
Will summon : where wilt thou be found ? 
Even holy homes may hearts beguile, 

And mar God's work a while. 



124 Early Warnings, 

9. 
ILL TEMPER. 

" Jesus was casting out a Devil, and it was dumb : and it came to pass, 
when the Devil was cast out, the dumb spake." 

Not often bends the face of heaven and earth 

A dull and joyless brow- 
On hearts that own meek love and quiet mirth : 

But such their aspect now. 
Slowly and late through leaden skies 
The scanty lights of morning rise, 

And hour by weary hour 
The hard stern outlines loom around 
Of hill by many a frost embrowned, 

Pine top, and leafless forest bower. 

And days have been, wild days of stormy wing, 

O'er-powering breath and thought, 
When the dark clouds plied each its heavy sling, 
And air and ocean wrought 
As erst o'er Noe, hiding all 
The bright hues of this earthly ball. 



Ill Temper. 125 

The traveller on his way- 
Was like a pinnace on the deep, 
Whirling around as rude waves sweep, 

The sport of every gust and spray. 

So, happy childhood, thine enchanted clime 

Two evil spirits mar, 
This wild, that sullen : o'er the unlovely prime 

Looks out no lingering star, 
No softly-brightening trail of morn : 
Their day, in gloom or tempest born, 

Lowers on till noon and night : — 
Because the new-born soul made haste 
Love's christening gift to scorn or waste, 

Fretting or fierce, in Angels' sight. 

Yet burns the sun on high beyond the cloud : 

Each in his southern cave 
The warm winds linger, but to be allowed 
One breathing o'er the wave, 
One flight across the unquiet sky ; — 
Swift as a vane may turn on high 
The smile of heaven comes on. 



126 Early Warnings, 

So waits the Lord behind the veil, 
His light on frenzied cheek or pale 
To shed when the dark hour is gone. 

O ye who feel the dumb deaf spirit's breath 

About your heart and home, 
As in foul cavern spreading damps of death, 

Where only Love should come ; — 
Who mark, how wane the lamps of prayer 
Where sullen thoughts are in the air ; — 

Haste, to the Healer bring 
The moody silent one : perchance 
He at the mighty word and glance 

With Saints will hear, with Angels sing. 

But if the frenzy fire blaze out, and cast 

The sparks of Stygian glow, 
Wild evil words, such showers as rode the blast 
In Sodom's overthrow ; 
If tossing limb and glaring eye 
Declare the o'ermastering agony ; 

On Tabor's crown behold 
The pure calm glory : Jesus there 



Ill Temper. 127 

Hath spent the summer night in prayer : 
There be your tale of anguish told. 

Faint not, if prayer of man find tardy grace, 

Though saintly knees be bowed, 
But wait untired beneath the mountain's base ; 

Soon will the healing Cloud 
Toward thee descend, — the voice of Love 
Through the glad air will gently move : 

" Believe, and all may be :" — 
The voice of Power command afar 
The rushings of that ireful war, 

And heart and tongue for prayer be free. 

Nay, doubt it not : He gave His signs of yore, 

When Angels at the porch 
Met thee, and led along the sacred floor, 

And from their unseen torch 
Shrank muttering to his penal fire 
The Demon Shade, companion dire 

Of all in evil born. — 
Within thee, if thou wilt, be sure 
That happy hour's strong spells endure, 

The seal of heaven, not all outworn. 



fa* <&l)U&rm'0 trouble*- 



THE CROSS LAID ON INFANTS. 



" And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, 
coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might 
bear it after Jesus." 



" Well may I brook the lash of scorn or woe 

On mine own head to fall : 
An evil mark is on me : well I know 
I have deserved it all. 
But these my tender sheep, 
What have they sown, such ill to reap ? 
Why should a new-born babe the watch of sorrow 
keep ?" 



The Cross laid on Infants. 129 

Stay thee, sad heart, or ere thou breathe thy plaint, 

And still thee, murmuring tongue, 
And mark who climbs the hill, so meek, so faint, 
Whose brows with anguish wrung 
On the rough way drop blood ; 
How rushing round Him like a flood, 
They drag Him, fallen beneath the accursed and 
galling wood. 

Nor Him alone. They seize upon his way, 

Early that fearful morn, 
One hastening Zion-ward, and on him lay 

Part of the pain and scorn, 

Part of the Cross : who knows 
Which in his secret heart he chose, 
The persecutors' peace, or the meek Saviour's woes ? 

Bowed he with grudging mind the yoke to bear, 

Or was the bitter sweet 
For Jesus' sake ? Lo, in the silent air 

On unseen pinions fleet 

The hosts of scorn and love : 
With the sad train they onward move : — 

Owns he the raven's wing, or the soft gliding Dove ? 

7* 



130 Children's Troubles. 

O surely, when the healing Rood he felt, 

The sacrificial fire 
Of Love redeeming did his spirit melt, 

And with true heart's desire 

He set where Jesus trode 
His steps along the mountain road, 
Still learning more and more of His sweet awful load. 

Thou leanest o'er thine infant's couch of pain : 

It breaks thine heart, to see 
The wan glazed eye, the wasted arm, that fain 

Would reach and cling to thee. 

Yet is there quiet rest 
Prepared upon the Saviour's breast 
For babes unconscious borne on Calvary to be blest. 

Nor to the darlings of thine aching heart, 

Nor to thine own weak soul, 
Grudge thou the good Cyrenian's patient part, 

The Cross that maketh whole 

Met unawares, and laid 
Upon the unresisting head, 
The tottering feet upon the way of sorrow led. 



The Cross laid on Infants. 131 

What if at times the playful hand, though weak, 

From the safe bosom part 
The nursing Father's awful crown to seek, 

And find it thorns, and start 

With grieved and wondering call 1 
Who but would joy, one drop should fall 
Out of his own dull veins, for Him who spared us all ? 



132 Children's Troubles. 



TEARS RESTRAINED. 



" Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head 
upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat 
not the bread of men." 



" Tears are of Nature's best, they say ; 
An April dry makes cheerless May : 

Eyes that with answering glow 
Meet eager joy, I love not well 
That they should gaze immoveable 

On sights of fear and woe." 

" Nay, soft and wavering shows the heart 
Whence the life-drops so lightly start, 

And harsher by and by 
Will prove, I ween, the withering hour 
Of selfish care, for each brief shower 

That hurries down our sky." 



Tears Restrained. 133 

Such talk when Angels watching near 
From earthly guardians overhear, 

Haply in heart they say, 
" These are half-truths. Who deeply scan 
The mystery of the tears of man, 

To nurse them or allay, 

" Demands, they know, a mightier skill : 
He only may the task fulfil, 

Who hath the springs in hand 
Of Ocean, saying to this wave, 
' Retire :' — to that, ' unbridled rave 

High on the thirsty sand.' 

" He in His wisdom hath decreed 
That shingle-light, or frail sea-weed, 

Should here the proud waves stay, 
There, giant rocks aside be hurled. 
So in the heart's lone awful world 

His waters know their way. 

" His Power the inward storm unchains 
At will, His Power and Love refrains. 
Ask ye, by what high law ? 



134 Children *s Troubles. 

Go not to sage or seer, but trace 
His impress on some bright young face, 
Half passion and half awe. 

" Whom He hath blessed and called His own, 
He tries them early, look and tone, 

Bent brow and throbbing heart ; 
Tries them with pain, dread seal of Love. 
Oft when their ready patience strove 

With keen o'ermastering smart, 

" And mortals deemed it gentle blood, 
Faith might discern the healing Rood 

Invisibly applied : 
And when her veil soft Pity drew 
Over each glad and vernal hue, 

And babes for others sighed, 

li A tear, we knew, from Lazarus' grave, 
Had lent high virtue to the wave 

In their baptismal hour : — 
Or one of those He deigned to weep 
O'er Salem, in the olived steep, 

A world-embalming shower. 



Tears Restrained. 135 

" Thou art stern courage, Heavenly Child, 

Thou to thy babes art mourning mild ; 

Even as Thy Saints of old 

From weeping now forbore, now prayed 

Their eyes might endless showers be made 

Over Thy fallen fold. 

i 

" One law is theirs, and Thine : to stay 
Self-loving moans — allow no way 

For grief that only grieves. 
But drops that cherish prayer, or speed 
The pure resolve, or 'duteous deed, — 

He gave them, He receives." 



136 Children's Troubles. 



LONELINESS. 

"And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts 
arise in your hearts'? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I Myself: 
handle Me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me 
have." 

Alone, apart from mother dear 

And father's gracious eye, 
From all the nursery's joyous cheer, 

Nor babe nor playmate by ! 

A place where others are at home, 

But all is strange to me ! 
And now the twilight hour is come, 
And the clear shadows flee. 

Scarce dare I lay me down and sleep, 

Lest in half-waking dream 
Dimly all ways to dance and creep 

The forms around me seem. 



Loneliness. 137 



Help me with reading, help to pray, 

That I with spirit free 
Mine evening hymn may sing or say 

Upon my bended knee. 

But look, your lore be true and wise, 
The lamp ye light burn clear, 

No flash to pass o'er strained eyes, 
Leaving all dark and drear. — 

kindly and in happy hour 
Ye bring the Volume blest : 

There all is Truth, all Love, all Power : 
Now sweet will be my rest. 

Now at thy pleasure roam, wild heart, 
In dreams o'er sea and land : 

1 bid thee at no shadows start : 

The Upholder is at hand. 

The lurid hues, the deep sea-gleams, 
That blend in hour of storm, 

Till every hurrying night- wind seems 
To waft a phantom form, 



138 Children's Troubles. 

Are but His signs, who lonely paced 
The midnight waters drear. 

A spirit o'er the heaving waste 
He seemed — they cried for fear. 

Hark ! in the gale how softly thrills 
The voice that wakes the dead ! 

Happy, whose ear such music fills 
By night upon his bed. 

" 'Tis I," He saith : " be not afraid !" 

Whether in ocean vast, 
Or where across the moonlight glade 

Strange woodland shapes are cast, 

Or flickering shadows come and go 

In weary hours of gloom, 
While midnight lamps burn dim and low, 

Round some mysterious room, 

One only spell hath power to soothe 
When thoughts and dreams appal. 

Name thou His Name, Who is the Truth, 
And He will hear thy call ; 



Loneliness. 139 

As when new- risen on Easter night 

Amid His own He stood, 
Fear with His sudden shade, calm might 

Came with His Flesh and Blood ; 

Him name in Faith, and softly make 

The sign to Angels known. 
So never need thy young heart ache 

In silence and alone. 



140 Children's Troubles. 



SHYNESS. 
" Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid to look upon God. 

Tear not away the veil, dear friend, 
Nor from its shelter rudely rend 
The heaven-protected flower : 
It waits for sun and shower 
To woo it kindly forth in its own time, 
And when they come, untaught will know its hour of 
prime. 

Blame not the eye that from thee turns, 
The cheek that in a moment burns 
With tingling fire so bright, 
Feeling thine eager sight, — 
The lowly drooping brow, the stammering tongue, 
The giddy wavering thought, scarce knowing right 
and wrong. 



Shyness. 141 

What if herein weak Nature own 
Her trembling underneath His Throne, 
Whose eye can ne'er depart 
From our frail evil heart 1 
Who knows how near His look of awful love 
The gaze of aged men may to the young heart prove ? 

The springs of silent awe, that dwell 
Deepest in heart, will highest swell 
When in His destined hour 
He calls them out in power. 
Hide thou thy face, and fear to look on God, 
Else never hope to grasp the wonder-working rod. 

With quivering hands that closely fold 
Over his downcast eyes, behold 
The Shepherd on the Mount 
Adores the Living Fount 
Of pure unwasting fire : no glance he steals, 
But in his heart's deep joy the Dread Eye gazing 
feels, — 

Feels it, and gladlier far would die 
Than let it go. There will he lie 
Till the Dread Voice return, 



142 Children's Troubles. 

And he the lore may learn 
Of his appointed task — bold deeds to dare, 
High mysteries to impart, deep penances to bear. 

Ere long to the same holy place 
He will return, and face to face 
Upon the glory gaze, 
Then onward bear the rays 
To Israel : priest and people from his glance 
Will shrink, as he from God's in that deep Horeb 
trance. , 

Then tear we not the veil away, 
Nor ruthless tell in open day 
The tender spirit's dream. 
O let the deepening stream 
Might from the mountain-springs in silence draw. 
O mar we not His work, who trains His saints in 



awe 



Children's Trollies. 143 



STAMMERING. 

" He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.' 

When heart and head are both overflowing, 
When eager words within are glowing, 
And all at once for utterance crowd and throng. 
How hard to find no tongue ! 
The little babe upon the breast 
Wails out his wail and is at rest : 
These may but look and long. 



Perhaps some deed of sacred story, 

Or lesson deep of God's high glory, 

For many a toilsome hour rehears'd or read, 

In holy Church is said. 
He knows it all — none half so well, — 
And longs in turn his tale to tell, 

But all his words are fled. 



144 Children's Troubles. 

Perhaps on high the chant is ringing, 
The youthful choir the free notes flinging, 
To soar at will the mazy roof around : 

But his to earth are bound. 
In every chord his heart beats high, 
But vainly would his frail lips try 

The tones his soul hath found. 

O gaze not so in wistful sadness : 
Ere long a morn of power and gladness 
Shall break the heavy dream ; the unchained voice 

Shall in free air rejoice : 
Thoughts with their words and tones shall meet, 
The unfaltering tongue harmonious greet 

The heart's eternal choice. 

Even now the call that wakes the dying 
Steals on thine ear with gentle sighing : 
The breath, the dew of heaven hath touched thy 
tongue : 
Far to the winds are flung 
The bonds unseen, ill spirits' work : 
Satan no more may round thee lurk, 
Thine Epphatha is sung. 



Children's Troubles. 145 



FEAR OF WILD BEASTS. 



(For Quinquagesima.) 



Oft have I hid mine eyes, 
When lightning thrill'd across the midnight skies : 

When tempests howl'd o'er land or main, 
Oft have I thought upon the deluge rain. 
But now I read, that never more 
Will Heaven's dread windows so give out their awful 
store. 
The rainbow-sign is given, — 
His word endures in Heaven. 

Oft have I shrank for fear, 

When forms that seem'd of giant mould drew near, 

And deeply in my childish heart 

I thrill'd at every rush, and bound, and start : 

8 



146 Children's Troubles. 

But now I hear th' Eternal Law 
That binds them in His chain of deep mysterious awe : 
I fear no monster birth, — 
His word endures on earth. 

Even as the bright calm bow 
Is safety's pledge when waters wild o'erflow, 

As horned herds will turn and fly 
If but a child survey them with bold eye, 

So in the storms we may not see 
Thy Saviour's rainbow crown, O Faith, thine own 
may be : 
So, if His Cross He raise, 
Hell powers at distance gaze. 

There may we calmly dwell, 
Nor sounding tempest dread, nor lion fell. 

But, little children, muse and mark : 
His blessing waits on inmates of His ark, 

On such as in His awful shade 
Abide, and keep the seal His Holy Spirit made. 
Else will the flood awake, 
His chain the Lion break. 



Children's Troubles. . 147 

7. 

SEPARATION. 

" For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be made whole." 

She did but touch with finger weak 

The border of His sacred vest, 
Nor did He turn, nor glance, nor speak, 
Yet found she health and rest. 

Well may the word sink deep in me, 

For I, full many a fearful hour, 
Fast clinging, mother dear, to thee, 

Have felt Love's guardian power. 

When looks were strange on every side, 

When gazing round I only saw 
Far-reaching ways, unknown and wide, 
I could but nearer draw : 

I 

I could but nearer draw, and hold 

Thy garment's border as I might. 
This while I felt, my heart was bold, 
My step was free and light. 



148 Children's Troubles. 

Thou haply on thy path the while 

Didst seem unheeding me to fare, 
Scarce now and then, by bend or smile, 
Owning a playmate there. 

What matter ? well I knew my place, 
Deep in my mother's inmost heart : 
I fear'd but, in my childish race, 
I from her robe might part. 

O Lord, the Fount of Mother's Love 

And Infant's Faith, I hear thee mourn : 
" Thee, tender as a callow dove, 

Long have I nurs'd and borne : 

" Have nurs'd and borne thee up on high, 
Ere Mother's love to thee was known : 
And now I set thee down, to try 
If thou canst walk alone. 

" Nay, not alone — but I would prove 

Thy duteous heart. O grudge no more 
Thy Lord His joy, when healing Love 
His very robe flows o'er." 



Children's Troubles. 149 

8. 
BEREAVEMENT. 

"The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." 

I mark'd when vernal meads were bright, 

And many a primrose smil'd, 
I mark'd her, blithe as morning light, 

A dimpled three years' child. 

A basket on one tender arm 

Contain'd her precious store 
Of spring-flowers in their freshest charm, 

Told proudly o'er and o'er. 

The other wound with earnest hold 

About her blooming guide, 
A maid who scarce twelve years had told : 

So walk'd they side by side. 

One a bright bud, and one might seem 

A sister flower half blown. 
Full joyous on their loving dream 

The sky of April shone. 



150 Children's Troubles. . 

The summer months swept by : again 

That loving pair I met. 
On russet heath, and bowery lane, 

Th' autumnal sun had set : 

And chill and damp that Sunday eve 
Breath'd on the mourners' road 

That bright-eyed little one to leave 
Safe in the Saints 5 abode. 

Behind, the guardian sister came, 

Her bright brow dim and pale — 

O cheer thee, maiden ! in His Name, 
Who stilPd Jairus' wail ! 

Thou mourn'st to miss the fingers soft 
That held by thine so fast, 

The fond appealing eye, full oft 
Tow'rd thee for refuge cast. 

Sweet toils, sweet cares, for ever gone ! 

No more from stranger's face 
Or startling sound, the timid one 

Shall hide in thine embrace. 



Bereavement. 151 



Thy first glad earthly task is o'er, 
And dreary seems thy way. 

But what if nearer than before 
She watch thee even to-day ? 

What if henceforth by heaven's decree 
She leave thee not alone, 

But in her turn prove guide to thee 
In ways to Angels known ? 

O yield thee to her whisperings sweet : 
Away with thoughts of gloom ! 

In love the loving spirits greet, 
Who wait to bless her tomb. 

In loving hope with her unseen 
Walk as in hallow'd air. 

When foes are strong and trials keen, 
Think, " What if she be there ?" 



152 Children's Troubles. 



ORPHANHOOD. 

" Behold thy Mother." 

Oft have I watch'd thy trances light, 

And longed for once to be 
A partner in thy dream's delight, 
And smile in sleep with thee ; 
To sport again, one little hour, 
With the pure gales, that fan thy nursery bower, 
And as of old undoubting upward spring, 
Feeling the breath of heaven beneath my joyous wing 

But rather now with thee, dear child, 

Fain would I lie awake, 
For with no feverish care and wild 

May thy clear bosom ache ; 
Thy woes go deep, but deeper far 
The soothing power of yonder kindly star : 
Thy first soft slumber on thy mother's breast 
Was never half so sweet as now thy calm unrest. 



Orphanhood, 153 

Thy heart is sad to think upon 

Thy mother far away, 
Wondering perchance, now she is gone, 

Who best for thee may pray. 
In many a waking dream of love 
Thou seest her yet upon her knees above : 
The vows she breathed beside thee yesternight, 
She breathes above thee now, winged with intenser 
might. 

Both vespers soft and matins clear 

For thee she duly pays, 
Now as of old, and there as here ; 

Nor yet alone she prays. 
Thy vision — (whoso chides, may blame 
The instinctive reachings of the Altar flame) — 
Shows thee above, in yon ethereal air, 
A holier Mother, rapt in more prevailing prayer. 

5 Tis she to whom thy heart took flight 

Of old in joyous hour, 

When first a precious sister spright 

Came to thy nursery bower, 
8* 



154 Children's Troubles. 

And thou with earnest tone didst say, 
" Mother, let Mary be her name, I pray, 
For dearly do I love to think upon 
That gracious Mother-Maid, nursing her Holy One.'*" 

Then in delight, as now in woe, 
Thou to that home didst turn, 
Where God, an Infant, dwelt below : 

The thoughts that ache and burn 
Nightly within thy bosom, find 
A home in Nazareth to their own sweet mind. 
More than all music are the soothings dear 
Which meet thee at that door, and whisper, Christ is 
here. 



Children's Troubles. 155 



10. 



FIRE. 

" The Angel of the Lord made the midst of the furnace as it had been a 
moist whistling wind." 

Sweet maiden, for so calm a life 

Too bitter seemed thine end ; 
But thou hadst won thee, ere that strife, 

A more than earthly friend. 

We miss thee in thy place at school, 

And on thine homeward way, 
Where violets by the reedy pool 

Peep out so shyly gay : 

Where thou, a true and gentle guide, 

Wouldst lead thy little band, 
With all an elder sister's pride, 

And rule with eye and hand. 



156 Children's Troubles. 

And if we miss, O who may speak 
What thoughts are hovering round 

The pallet where thy fresh young cheek 
Its evening slumber found ? 

How many a tearful longing look 

In silence seeks thee yet, 
Where in its own familiar nook 

Thv fireside chair is set ? 

And oft when little voices dim 

Are feeling for the note 
In chanted prayer, or psalm, or hymn, 

And wavering wildly float, 

Comes gushing o'er a sudden thought 

Of her who led the strain, 
How oft such music home she brought — 

But ne'er shall bring again. 

O say not so ! the springtide air 
Is fraught with whisperings sweet ; 

Who knows but heavenly carols there 
With ours may duly meet ? 



Fire. 

Who knows how near, each holy hour, 
The pure and child-like dead 

May linger, where in shrine or bower 
The mourner's prayer is said 1 

And He who will'd, thy tender frame 

(O stern yet sweet decree !) 
Should wear the Martyr's robe of flame, 

He hath prepar'd for thee 

A garland in that region bright 

Where infant spirits reign, 
Ting'd faintly with such golden light 

As crowns His Martyr train. 

Nay, doubt it not : His tokens sure 
Were round her death-bed shewn : 

The wasting pain might not endure, 
'Twas calm ere life had flown, 

Even as we read of Saints of yore : 
Her heart and voice were free 

To crave one quiet slumber more 
Upon her Mother's knee. 



158 Children's Troubles. 

* 

11. 

PUNISHMENT. 

" They shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity. 

The scourge in hand of God or Man 

Full deeply tries the secret soul. — 
Yon dark-eyed maid, her bearing scan ; 
The tear that from beneath her quivering eyelids stole, 
The shade, that hangs e'en now 
Upon her wistful brow, — 
It comes not all of shame or pain, 
But she with pitying heart full fain 
Would twice the penance burthen bear, 
Might she the chastening arm, so lov'd and loving 
spare. 

So have I mark'd some faithful hound, 

Recalled by look and voice severe, 
Come conscious of his broken bound, 
And lowly cast him down as in remorseful fear, 



Punishment. 159 

One of the teachers true 
Commission'd to imbue 
Our dull hard hearts with heavenly skill, 
With heavenly love our proud cold will. 
How seems he penance to implore, 
Patient in woe decreed, and humbly seeking more ! 

He who of old at Caiaphas' door 

Denied th' eternal Holy One, — 
In words denied, but own'd in store 
Of penitential tears — why made he restless moan, 
When the forgiving Eye 
Had beam'd on him so nigh, 
And thrice, for his denials three, 
The Lord hath said, My Shepherd be ? 
Yet where his waking thoughts self-blame, 
And ever with cock-crowing tearful memory came. 

For should the soul that loves indeed 
Stoop o'er the edge of deadly sin, 
And e'er so lightly taste its meed, — 
Though wonder-working grace might heal the wound 
within, 



160 Children's Troubles. 

Yet may the scar and stain 
To the last fire remain, 
And love will mourn them : loyal Love 
Will for the Holy Friend above 
Lament in reverent sympathy, 
Feeling upon her heart the griev'd and gracious Eye. 

Alas for sullen souls, that turn 

Keen wholesome airs to poison blight ! 
Touch 'd with Heaven's rod, in ire they burn, 
Or in dim anguish writhe : beside them in its might 
The saving Cross we rear, 
They neither love nor fear ; 
Each from his own unblessed tree 
The five dread wounds unmov'd they see — 
O hard of heart ! — and scornful say, 
"Saviour, if such thou be, come chase our pangs 
away." 

Th' impenitent would still abate 

His pain, the mourner still enhance. — 
O Lord, I know my sin is great, 
I would not hide away from thee in heartless trance ; — 



Punishment. 161 

When penal lightnings glare, 
O give me grace, to bear 
My sinful bosom to the blast ; — 
Nor, when the judgment hour is past, 
Bask on in warmth of worldly ease, 
But hold to the wrong'd Cross on worn and aching 
knees. 



162 Children's Troubles, 



12. 



PENANCE. 

" If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." 

Thou, who with eye too sad and wan 
Dost on the memory gaze 
Of evil days, 

Open thy easement, moody man, 
Look out into the midnight air, 
And taste the gushing fragrance there, 
Drink of the balm the soft winds bear 

From dewy nook and flowery maze : 

They rise and fall, they come and go, 
With touch ethereal whispering low 
Of grace to penitential woe, 
And of the soothing hand that Love on Conscience lays. 

How welcome, in the sweet still hour, 
Falls on the weary heart, 
Listening apart, 
Each rustling note from breeze and bower ; 



Penance. 163 

The mimic rain mid poplar leaves, 
The mist drops from th' o'erloaded eaves, 
Sighs that the herd half-dreaming heaves, 
Or owlet chanting his dim part ; 
Or trickling of imprison'd rill 
Heard faintly down some pastoral hill, 
His pledge, who rules the froward will 
With more than kingly power, with more than wizard 
art! 



But never mourner's ear so keen 
Watch'd for the soothing sounds 
That walk their rounds 

Upon the moonlight air serene, 

As the bright sentinels on high 
Stoop to receive each contrite sigh, 
When the hot world hath hurried by, 

And souls have time to feel their wounds. 
Nor ever tenderest bosom beat 
So truly to the noiseless feet 
Of shadows that from light clouds fleet, 
Where ocean gently rocks within his summer bounds, 



164 Children's Troubles. 

As Saints around the Glory-Throne 
To each faint sigh respond 
And yearning fond 
Of Penitents that inly moan. 

O surely Love adoring there 
Is quicken'd to intenser prayer, 
When youthful hearts are fain to wear — 
Unbidden wear — their penance-bond : 

When stripling grave and maiden meek 
Forego the bright hours of the week, 
Nor at the board their place will seek : — 
u Have we not sinn'd ? and sin must be by pain 
aton'd." 



Thrice happy, in Repentance' school 
So early taught and tried ! 
At Jesus' side, 

And by His dread Fore-runner's rule, 

Train'd from the womb ! nor they unblest, 
Who underneath the world's bright vest 
With sackcloth tame their aching breast, 

The sharp-edged cross in jewels hide. — 



Penance. 165 

Who day by day and year by year 
Survey the Past with deepening fear, 
Yet hourly with more hopeful ear 
To the dim Future turn, th' absolving voice abide. 

Not as lost Esau mourn'd, they mourn ; 

No loud and bitter cry 

They cast on high : — 
But on through silent air is borne 

The fragrance of their tearful love 

To the Redeemer's feast above. 

Fresher than steam of dewy grove, 
When April showers are twinkling nigh, 

To aged husbandman at eve, 

Is the sweet breath the Heavens receive 

When bosoms with confession heave 
When lowly Magdalen hath won her Saviour's eye. 



fax <£t)Uuren'i3 0port0. 






GARDENING. 

" He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." 

Seest thou yon woodland child, 
How amid flowerets wild, 
Wilder himself, he plies his pleasure-task ? 
That ring of fragrant ground, 
With its low woodbine bound 
He claims : no more, as yet, his little heart need ask. 

There learns he flower and weed 
To sort with careful heed : 
He waits not for the weary noontide hour. 
There with the soft night air 
Comes his refreshing care : 
Each tiny leaf looks up, and thanks him for the 
shower. 



Gardening. * 167 

Thus faithful found awhile, 

He wins the joyous smile 
Of friend or parent ; glad and bright is he, 

When for his garland gay 

He hears the kind voice say, 
Well hast thou wrought, dear boy : the garden thine 
shall be." 

And when long years are flown, 
And the proud word, Mine Own, 
Familiar sounds, what joy in field or bower 
To view by Memory's aid 
Again that garden glade, 
And muse on all the lore there learned in each bright 
hour ! 

Is not a life well-spent 
A child's play-garden, lent 
For Heaven's high trust to train young heart and 
limb? 
When in yon field on high 
Our hard-won powers we try, 
Will no mild tones of earth blend with the adoring 
hymn ? 



168 



Children's Sports. 



O fragrant, sure, will prove 
The breath of patient Love, 
Even from these fading sweets by Memory cast, 
As deepening evermore 
To Him our song we pour, 
Who lent us Earth, that he might give us Heaven at 
last. 



Children's Sports, 169 



MAY GARLANDS. 

" The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth tne 
grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it 
perisheth." 

Come, ye little revellers gay. 

Learners in the school of May, 

Bring me here the richest crown 

Wreathed this morn on hill-side down, 

Or in nook of copse wood green, 

Or by river's rushy screen, 

Or in sunny meadow wide, 

Gemmed with cowslips in their pride ; 

Or perchance, high prized o'er all, 

From beneath the southern wall, 

From the choicest garden bed, 

'Mid bright smiles of infants bred, 

Each a lily of his own 

Offering, or a rose half-blown. 
9 



170 Children's Sports. 

Bring me now a crown as gay, 
Wreathed and woven yesterday. 
Where are now those forms so fair ? — 
Withered, drooping, wan and bare, 
Feeling nought of earth or sky, 
Shower or dew, behold they lie, 
Vernal airs no more to know : — 
They are gone — and ye must go, 
Go where all that ever bloomed, 
In its hour must lie entombed. — 
They are gone ; their light is o'er : — 
Ye must go ; but ye once more 
Hope in joy to be new-born, 
Lovelier than May's gleaming morn. 

Hearken, children of the May, 
Now in your glad hour and gay, 
Ye whom all good Angels greet 
With their treasures blithe and sweet :— 
None of all the wreaths ye prize 
But was nursed by weeping skies. 
Keen March winds, soft April showers, 
Braced the roots, embalmed the flowers. 



May Garlands. 171 

So, if e'er that second spring 

Her green robe o'er you shall fling, 

Stern setf-mastery, tearful prayer, 

Must the way of bliss prepare. 

How should else Earth's flowerets prove 

Meet for those pure crowns above ? 



172 Children's Sports, 



o. 

SUNDAY NOSEGAYS. 

" Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased." 

Ye children that on Jesus wait, 
Gathering around His temple gate 

To learn His word and will, 
For glory hungered and athirst, — 
Which of you all would fain be first ? 

Come here and take your fill. 

Come, still and pure as drops of dew, 
Come to the feast prepared for you, 

Your prayer in silence breathe ; — 
Seek the last room, the scorn'd of all : 
If that be filled, adoring fall 

The Holy Board beneath. 

Not to the quick untrembling gaze, 
The heart that bounds at human praise, 
Loves he to say, Go higher. 



Sunday Nosegays. 173 

But most He turns His face away, 
When envy's sidelong eyes betray 
The foul unhallowed fire. 

Say, little maids that love the spring, 
Of all the fragrant gems ye bring, 

For bower or bridal wreath, 
Is aught so fair as violets shy, 
Betraying where they lowly lie 

By the soft airs they breathe ? 

Oft as with mild caressing hand 
Ye cull and bind in tender band 

Those bashful flowers so sweet — 
With many a Sunday smile, — to rest 
Upon some loved and honoured breast, 

A welcome gift and meet. 

Ye to the Heaven-taught soul present 
A token and a sacrament, 

How to the highest room 
Earth's lowliest flowers our Lord receives ; — 
Close to His heart a place He gives, 

Where they shall ever bloom. 



174 Children's Sports. 



DRESSING UP. 



'Put on the whole armour of God." 



Great is the joy when leave is won, 

On sun-bright holiday, 
To deck some passive little one 

In fancy garments gay : 

Whether it be a bright-haired boy 
With brow so bold and high, 

Or maiden elf with aspect coy, 
Grave lip and laughing eye. 

What flashes of quick thought are there, 
What deep delight and pride ! 

Till the whole house the wonder share 
From room to room they glide. 



Dressing up. 175 



You smile, their eager ways to see : — 
But mark their choice, when they 

To choose their sportive garb are free, 
The moral of their play. 

In semblance proud of warrior's mail 

The stripling shall appear, 
The maiden meek in robe and veil 

Shall mimic bridal gear. 

All thoughtless they, to thoughtful eyes 
Love-tokens high present : — 

The Bride descending from the skies, 
The mail in Baptism lent. 

Yes : fearless may he lift the brow, 
Who bears, unstained and bright, 

By touch of Angels sealed e'en now, 
His Saviour's Cross of might. 

Radiant may be her glance of mirth, 
Who wears her chrisom-vest 

Pure as when first at her new birth 
It wrapt her tender breast. 



176 Children 's Sports. 

O, if so fair the first dim ray 

In Jesus' morn of grace, 
How will it glow, His perfect Day, 

On our triumphant race ! 

If but His banner's hovering shade 
May scare the infernal band, 

How blest, who to the end arrayed 
In His full armour stand ! 

Then haste, young warrior, year by year, 

And day by day, and hour 
By hour, His armoury to draw near, 

And don His robes of Power. 

Thy girdle, Truth — to hate a lie : — 

Then, purpose high of soul 
In Righteousness to live and die, 

Thy breastplate, firm and whole. 

Then, heavenly Calmness, lest thou fall 
Where scandals line the way ; 

Faith in the Unseen, thy shield o'er all, 
Each fiery dart to stay. 



Dressing up. 177 

Hope in His gift, thine Helmet sure, 

Trust in His living Word 
Thy weapon keen, to chase the impure, 

His Spirit's awful sword. 

This is thine armour, bathed in heaven : 

Keep thou by prayer and fast 
Thy Saviour's seal, so early given : — 

All shall be thine at last. 
9* 



178 Children's Sports. 



5. 



PEBBLES ON THE SHORE. 

" Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath 
no money ; come ye, buy and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk without 
money and without price." 

Not undelightful prove 

The rounds of restless love, 
When high and low she searches, mine and mart, 

And turns and tosses o'er 

Some crowned merchant's store, 
And scarce fit token finds of the full yearning heart. 

Yet in Heaven's searching beam 

As bright may haply seem 
A child's unpurchased offering, stone or shell, 

Found by some joyous crew 

Glittering with ocean dew, 
Where feathery lines of spray the waves' last boundary I 
tell. ' 



Pebbles on the Shore. 179 

Behold them, how they dance 

Beneath the breezy glance 
Of April morn, or fresh October noon ; — 

How on the twinkling sand, 

In many a fairy band, 
They leave their foot-prints light, to turn and count 
them soon. 



What if some nursing friend 

His sportive counsel lend 
To sort the treasure, wreathe the crownlet gay, 

Coral or crimson weed ? — 

Then is it joy indeed, 
When he to mind recalls some comrade far away. 



Oh then how bright arise 

To fancy's quick young eyes 
The smiles that o'er the kindling brow will spread, 

When on the nursery floor 

They range their bounteous store, 
Precious to them as pearls from India's ocean-bed ! 



180 Children's Sports. 

What though unseen, unbought 

By money, toil, or thought, 
Those simple offerings — come they not of Love ? 

Love gives, and Love will take. 

Such are the vows we make 
To the dread Bethlehem Babe, nor He will them 
reprove. 

What is a royal Crown, 

Or first-born Babe, cast down 
Before His Cradle, to one heavenly smile ? 

We may not buy nor earn, 

But He toward us will turn 
Of His own Love : but we must kneel in Love the 
while. 

Thus learn we Bounty's lore 

Along the unbounded shore : — 
And even beneath the mists which man hath made, 

Where Mammon walks the street, 

We light on memories sweet 
Of a dread Bargain sealed, a countless Ransom paid* 



Pebbles on the Shore. 181 

We hear the frequent cry, 

" Approach, ye poor, and buy, 
Buy of the best for nought :" — and dreams arise 

Of yon supernal Home, 

And Angel voices — " Come, 
Come to the Living Wells, buy without gold or price." 

" Come to the true Vine's shade, 

There in contrition laid 
Drink of the drops He in your cup shall press. 

Come to the quiet fold, 

And while the Lambs are told, 
Taste the pure treasure of the pastoral wilderness." 

The homeless and forlorn 

In cities, — think they scorn 
Freely to quaff the fountain's unbought store ? 

Freely to learn the song 

It warbles all night long 
In murmurings such as sooth'd their cradle dreams of 
yore ? 



182 Children's Sports. 



6. 



BATHING. 



" Lord, if it be Thoii, bid me come unto Thee on the water." 

The May winds gently lift the willow leaves ; 

Around the rushy point comes weltering slow 
The brimming stream : alternate sinks and heaves 
The lily-bud, where small waves ebb and flow. 
Willowherb and meadowsweet ! 
Ye the soft gales, that visit there, 

From your waving censers greet 
With store of freshest balmiest air. 

Come bathe — the steaming noontide hour invites ; 

Even in your face the sparkling waters smile. — 
Yet on the brink they linger, timid wights, 

Pondering and measuring ; on their gaze the while 
Eddying pool and shady creek 
Darker and deeper seem to grow : 
On and onward still, they seek 
Where sport may less adventurous show* 



Bathing. 183 

At length the boldest springs : but ere he cleave 
The flashing waters, eye and head grow dim ; 
Too rash it seems, the firm green earth to leave : 
Heaven is beneath him : shall he sink or swim ? 
Far in boundless depth he sees 
The rushing clouds obey the gale, 

Trembling hands and tottering knees, 
All in that dizzy moment fail. 

Oh mark him well, ye candidates of Heaven, 

Called long ago to float in Jesus' ark 
Ye know not where : — His signal now is given, 
The Lord draws near upon the waters dark : 
To your eager ear the Voice 
Makes awful answer : " Come to Me : 
Once for all now seal your choice, 
With Christ to tread the boisterous sea." 

And dare we come ? since he, the trusted Saint, 
Who with one only shared the Lord's high love, 

Shrank from the tossing gale, and scarce with faint 
And feeble cry toward the Saviour strove. 



184 Children's Sports. 

Yes : we answer the dread call, 
Not fearless, but in duteous awe : 

He will stay the frail heart's fall, 
His arm will onward, upward draw. 

O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt ? 

Spare not for Him to walk the midnight wave, 
On the dim shore at morn to seek Him out,* 

Work 'neath His Eye, and near Him make thy 
grave. 
So backslidings past no more 
Shall in the Heavens remembered be, 

Faith the Three Denials sore 
O'erpaying with Confessions Three. 

Strange power of mighty Love ! if heaven allow 

Choice, on the restless waters rather found, 
Meeting her Lord, with Cross and bleeding brow, 
Than calmyl waiting on the guarded ground ! 
Yearning ever to spring forth 
And feel the cold waves for His sake ; — 

All her giving of no worth, 
Yet, till she give, her heart will ache. 

* See St. John, xxi. 



Children's Sports. 185 



ENACTING HOLY RITES. 

"Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed 
them unto babes." 

They talk of wells in caverns deep, 

Whose waters run a wondrous race 

Far underground, and issuing keep 

Our floating tokens, bright or base. 

So in the Child's light play we read 

The portion to the man decreed ; 

His future self he hastes to prove 

In art in toil, in warfare, or in love. 

Those waves emerging far away, 

True to their fount, the likeness bear 

Of fancies nurtured many a day, 

How in the end their course they wear 

Into the light of Manhood free : 

The hidden soul breaks out, and we 

In careless mien, in careworn face, 

The long- forgotten Infant wondering trace. 



186 Children's Sports. 

Oh, many a joyous mother's brow 

Is sadden'd o'er when sports are rife, 
And watching by, she seems e'en now 
The tale to read of coming strife. 
Through lawless camp, o'er ocean wild, 
Her prophet eye pursues her child, 
Scans mournfully her Poet's strain, 
Fears, for her Merchant, loss alike and gain. 

But if a holier task engage 

His busy dream,— if clad in white 
She see him turn some hallow'd page, 

Dimly enact some awful rite, — 
Then high beyond the loftiest Heaven 
The flight that to her hopes is given, 
And darker than the gloomiest deep 
The fears that in her boding bosom creep. 

She sees in heart an empty Throne, 
And falling, falling far away, 

Him whom the Lord had placed thereon : 
She hears the dread Proclaimer say, 



Enacting Holy Rites. 187 

" Cast ye the lot, in trembling cast ;* 
The Traitor to his place hath past." — 
Strive ye with Prayer and Fast to guide 
The dangerous Glory where it shall abide : 

Guide it towards some serious brow, 

In love and patience lowly bent, 
Some youthful Athanase,j" e'en now 

Upon his future task intent ; 
His Creed rehearsing to the roar 
Of billows on the lonely shore, 
Or with a child's deep earnestness 
Showing his mates how Saints baptize and bless. 

* Acts i. 
" t Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, on a certain day being in his own 
house, cast his eyes towards the sea. And seeing afar off boys playing on 
the shore, and enacting a Bishop and the customs of the Church, as long as 
he saw nothing too adventurous in their play, was pleased with what he saw, 
and amused himself with their doings. But when they touched even upon 
the Mysteries, he was troubled, and summoning the Clergy, made them ob- 
serve the boys : whom having caused to be brought before him, he interroga- 
ted about their play, and the kind of things said and done therein ; . . and they 
informed him that Athanasius was their Bishop and director, and that he 
had baptized some of the lads who were unchristened. Of these Alexander 
made careful inquiry, what had been asked of them, or done to them, by him 
who was Priest in their game, and what they answered, and were taught to 
•wr. And finding that all the order of the Church had been accurately ob- 



188 Children's Sports. 

She hears : one glance, — how brief and keen ! — 

As with a lightning touch reveals 
Her Saint upon his path serene ; 

With all her heart his vow she seals, 
With all her heart the prayer prolongs, 
That round him still the Watchers' songs 
Echoing may purge the hallow'd air, 
And from his soul the dreams of Judas scare. 

Ever in hope and agony 

She prays : — in hope when most he fears, 
In trembling when his hopes mount high. 

Far, far away she feels, not hears 
A deep chord thrill, an answering note 
Go forth in Heaven, and earthward float. 
Her Guardian Angel wafts it nigh, 
But more it breathes than Angel sympathy. 

served in their case, he deemed, on consulting with the Priests about him, 
that there was no need to rebaptize such as had once for all received the 
grace of God in simplicity. Only he performed for them the other ceremonies, 
which the Priests alone may lawfully minister in the Sacraments. Moreover. 
Athanasius and the other boys, who in their sport were Priests and Deacons, 
he commended to their respective kinsmen, calling God to witness ; to be 
nurtured for the Church, and trained to that which they had enacted." So- 
zomen. Eccl. Hist. i. 17. 



Enacting Holy Rites. 189 

Yea, gloom was on the Source of light,* 

A trouble at Joy's very heart, 
When with the Traitor in His sight 

His secret sad He told apart. 
And when He spake of treasures seal'd 
To proud wise men, to babes reveaFd,f 
From His celestial aspect fell 
A lightning as in Heaven, a bliss ineffable. 

These are Thy signs, Thou Shepherd good, 
To Daring and to Meekness given ; 

To babes of mild, self-chastening mood, 

Whispering their part in chants of Heaven. 

" Else," warning Love cries out, " Beware 

Of Chancel screen and Altar stair." 

Love interceeding kneels in fear, 

Lest to the Pure th' unholy draw too near. 

* St. John xiii. 21. f St. Matt. xi. 25. 



iOT- £*000tt0 of Kature, 



VERNAL MIRTH. 



" Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees ; when they now shoot forth, ye see 
and know of your own selves, that summer is now nigh at hand." 



What is the joy the young lambs know 

When vernal breezes blow ? 
Why carol out so blithe and free 
The little birds from every leafless tree 1 

Why bound so high the boys at play 

On grass so green and gay ? 
From nursing arms, his proper throne, 
Why rings so clear yon infant's joyous tone ? 



Vernal Mirth. 191 

The life that in them deeply dwells 

Of genial spring-tide tells : 
Of their own selves they see and know 
To what glad tune the summer brooks shall flow. 

Be thou through life a little child ; 
By manhood undefiled ; 
So shall no Angel grudge thy dreams 
Of fragrance pure and ever brightening beams. 



192 Lessons of Nature. 



2. 



THE BIRD'S NEST. 



" As an eagle stirreth up her nest, so the Lord alone did lead him,' 

Behold the treasure of the nest, 

The winged mother's hope and pride : 

See how they court her downy breast, 
How soft they slumber, side by side. 

Strong is the life that nestles there, 

But into motion and delight 
It may not burst, till soft as air 

It feel Love's brooding, timely might. 

Even such a blissful nest I deem 
The cradle of the Lord's new-born, 

Where deeply lurks the living beam 
Lit in the glad baptismal morn. 



The Bird's Nest. 193 

But into keen enduring flame 

It may not burst, till heavenly Love 

Have o'er it spread, in Christ's dear Name, 
The pinions of His brooding Dove. — 

Now steal once more across the lawn, 
Stoop gently through the cypress bough, 

And mark which way life's feeble dawn 
Works in their little hearts, and how. 

Still close and closer, as you pry, 

They nestle 'neath their mother's plume, 

Or with a faint forlorn half-cry, 
Shivering bewail her empty room. 

Or haply, as the branches wave, 

The little round of tender bills 
Is raised, the due repast to crave 

Of her who all their memory fills. 

Hast thou no wisdom here to learn, 

Thou nestling of the Holy Dove, 

How hearts that with the true life burn 

Live by the pulse of filial love ? 
10 



194 Lessons of Nature. 

When sorrow comes to thy calm nest. 
Early or late, as come it will, 

Think of yon brood, yon downy breast, 
And hide thee deep in Jesus' will. 

By morning and by evening moan, 
As doves beneath the cedar spray, 

Make thou thy fearful longings known 
To Him who is not far away. 

Him Cherub-borne in royal state, 
The food of His Elect to be, 

With eager lip do thou await, 

And veiled brow, and trembling knee. 

So underneath the warm bright wing, 
The hidden grace of thy new birth 

Shall gather might to soar and sing, 
Where'er He bids, in heaven or earth. 



Lessons of Nature. 195 



THE MOTHER BIRD WITH HER YOUNG. 

" How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen 
gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not !" 

The Lord who lends His creatures all 

A tongue to preach His will — 
To Salem came His mournful call, 
His last sad word to Sion's wall, 

From the green Eastern hill. 

The little children waiting by 

Wondered to see Him weep. 
The louder swelled their duteous cry, 
As He in lowliest majesty 

Rode down the shady steep. 

Thy little heart, so wild and weak, 

Perhaps is musing now, 
" Had I the joy to hear Him speak, 
To see that Eye, so heavenly meek, 

Sure I should keep my vow." 



196 Lessons of Nature. 

Nay, in that hour He thought on thee, 

And left a token sure, 
Ever in times of vernal glee 
Around thee in thy walks to be, 

And keep thee kind and pure. 

Look how the Hen invites her brood 
Beneath her wing to lie, 
, Look how she calls them to their food, 
How eyes, in eager, dauntless mood, 
The wheeling hawk on high. 

So would thy Lord His pinions spread 

Around thee, night and day, 
So lead thee, where is heavenly Bread, 
So, by the Cross whereon He bled, 
The spoiler scare away. 

But be thou gathered : — one and all 

Those simple nestlings see, 
How hurrying at their mother's call, 
To their one home, whate'er befall, 
In faith entire they flee. 



Lessons of Nature. 197 



4. 



NOONTIDE. 



" They looked steadfastly towards Heaven, as He went up.' 

The shepherd boy lies on the hill 

At noon with upward eye ; 
Deep on his gaze and deeper still 

Ascends the clear blue sky. 

You pass him by, and deem perchance 

He lies but half awake, 
And picture in what airy trance 

His soul may sport or ache. 

Full wakeful he, both eye and heart, 

For he a cloud hath seen 
Into that waste of air depart, 

As bark in ocean green. 



198 Lessons of Nature. 

'Tis gone, and he is musing left ; — 

What if in such array 
Our Saviour through the aerial cleft 

Rose on Ascension Day ? 

That hour, a glorious cloud, we know, 
Hid Him from human sight, 

While pastoral eyes were strained below 
To trace Him through the light. 

Oh if but once such awful thought, 

In sleep or waking dream, 
At night or noontide, came unsought, 

Like haunting sound of stream, 

Surely thou durst not let it go ; 

Oft as thine eye shall turn 
Where overhead the clear deeps glow, 

Thine heart must inly burn, 

Wondering what mortal first shall view 

The dread returning sign, 
When the strong portals, raised anew, 

Disclose the march divine. 



Noontide. 199 



Blest shall he be, that sinner's child, 

If upward in that tide 
His eye be turned, nor wandering wild, 

Nor closed in inward pride. 

Blessed, if the glory o'er him break 
Through chancel roof, or where 

Some mourner's bed good Angels make, 
And Pain is soothed by Prayer. 



200 Lessons of Nature. 



5. 



THE GLEANERS. 



The Church is one wide Harvest Field, 
Where Time and Death are gathering in 
Rich blessings by the Almighty Owner sealed 
For spirits meet His pardoning word to win. 

We are as children : here and there 
A few fallen ears, the sheaves among, 
We glean, where best the bounteous Hand may spare, 
So learning for His perfect store to long. 

Come, little ones, — come early out, 
Come joyous, come with steady heart, 
Roam not to seek wild flowers the field about, 
Nor yet at dreams of fancied vipers start. 



The Gleaners. 201 

The sun of Autumn climbs full fast : 
He will have quaffed each drop of dew, 
Ere half the fragrant, heathy lane be passed, 
The lingerers, they will find scant ears and few. 

Come, quit your toys, and haste away. 
But mark : ye may not leave behind 
Your store of smiles, your gladsome talk and gay, 
Your pure thoughts, fashioned to your Master's 
mind. 

Blithe be your course, yet bear in heart 
The lame and old, and help them on ; 
Full handfuls drop, where they may take a part, 
As high will swell your heap when day is done. 

Yon slumbering infant in the shade,- — 
Grudge not one hour on him to wait 
While others glean. The work with singing aid, 
With ready mirth all sharper tones abate. 

Sing softly in your heart all day 

Sweet carols to the Harvest's Lord, 

So shall ye chase those evil powers away 

That walk at noon — rude gaze and wanton word. 
10* 



202 Lessons of Nature, 

But see the tall elm shadows reach 
Athwart the field, the rooks fly home, 
The light streams gorgeous up the o'er-arching beecn, 
With the calm hour soft weary fancies come. 

In heaven the low red harvest moon, 
The glow-worm on the dewy ground, 
Will light us home with our glad burdens soon ; 
Grave be our evening prayers, our slumbers sound. 



Lessons of Nature. 203 

6. 
AUTUMN BUDS. 

" The children crying in the Temple, Hosanna to the Son of David." 

How fast these autumn leaves decay ! — 
But nearer view the naked spray, 
And many a bud thine eye will meet 
Prepared with ready smile to greet 

The showers and gleams of spring. 

Such buds of hope are Advent hours : 
Ere the Old Year its leaves and flowers 
Have shed, the New in promise lives ; 
Christmas afar glad token gives, 
Soft carols faintly ring. 

So when our Lord in meekness rode 
Where few save wintry hearts abode, 
Each leaf on Judah's sacred tree 
Was withered, wan, and foul to see, 
Touched by the frost- wind's wing. 



204 Lessons of Nature. 

Yet lurk'd there tender gems beneath, 
Ere long to bloom in glorious wreath. 
"While Priest and Scribe looked on and frowned, 
His little ones came chanting round 
Hosanna to their King. 



Lessons of Nature. 205 

7. 

THE OAK. 

" What went ye out into the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken with th« 
wind 1" 

Come take a woodland walk with me, 
And mark the rugged old Oak Tree, 
How steadily his arm he flings 
Where from the bank the fresh rill springs, 
And points the waters' silent way- 
Down the wild maze of reed and spray. 
Two furlongs on they glide unseen, 
Known only by the livelier green. 

There stands he, in each time and tide, 
The new-born streamlet's guard and guide. 
To him spring shower and summer sun, 
Brown autumn, winter's sleet, are one. 
But firmest in the bleakest hour 
He holds his root in faith and power, 
The splinter'd bark, his girdle stern, 
His robe, grey moss and mountain fern, 



206 Lessons of Nature. 

Mark'st thou in him no token true 

Of heaven's own Priests, both old and new ? 

In penitential garb austere 

Fix'd in the wild, from year to year 

The lessons of stern love to teach, 

To penitents and children preach, 

Bold words and eager glances stay, 

And gently level Jesus' way ? 



Lessons of Nature. 207 



THE PALM. 



"Palma virens semper manet conservatione et diuturnitate, non immutalione 
foliorum." — St. Ambrose, Hexaemeron, iii. 71. 



Why of all the woodland treasure, 
Holy Palm, art thou preferred, 
When the voice of praise is heard, 

When we tread our thankful measure ? 
Why before our Saviour borne ? 
Why by glorious Spirits worn ? 

Is it for thy verdure, brightest 

In the zone of colours bright ? 
Or that with aerial height 

Thou the genial clime requitest, 

Like courageous mountain maid, 
Nor of sun nor air afraid ? 



208 Lessons of Nature. 

Is it that in antique story 

Conquerors own'd thee for their meed ? 

Nay, thine honours are decreed 
For thy green unchanging glory, 

Wearing thy first leafy crown, 

Till thy vigorous life die down. 

Pines may tower, and laurels flourish — 
Deathless green is only thine ; 
Type of hearts which airs divine 

Cheer, and high communions nourish, 
Hearts on whose pure virgin wreath 
Sin indulg'd might never breathe. 



Lessons of Nature. 209 



THE WATERFALL. 

u Ye also as lively stones, are built up, a spiritual House." 
" I will make thy seed as the dust of the Earth." 

" What is the Church, and what am I ? 
A world, to one poor sandy grain, 
A waste of sea and sky- 
To one frail drop of rain. 

" What boots one feeble infant tone 
To the full choir denied or given, 
Where millions round the Throne 
Are chanting, morn and even V 

Nay the kind Watchers hearkening there 
Distinguish in the deep of song 
Each little wave, each air 
Upon the faltering tongue. 



210 Lessons of Nature. 

Each half note in the great Amen, 
Even by the utterer's self unheard, 
They store : O fail not then 
To bring thy lowly word : 

Spare not to swell the bold acclaim : 
So in the future battle-shout, 
When at the Saviour's Name 
The Church shall call thee out, 

No doubtful sound thy trump shall pour. 
Remember, when in earlier days 
Thou toil'dst upon the floor 
Palace or tower to raise, 

No mimic stone but found a place, 
And glorious to the builder shone 
The pile : then how should Grace 
One living gem disown, 

One pearly mote, one diamond small, 
One sparkle of th' unearthly light ? — 
Go where the waters fall 
Sheer from the mountain's height ; 



The Waterfall 

Mark how, a thousand streams in one, 
One in a thousand, on they fare, 
Now flashing to the sun, 
Now still as beast in lair. 

Now round the rock, now mounting o'er 
In lawless dance they win their way, 
Still seeming more and more 
To swell as we survey. 

They win their way, and find their rest 
Together in their ocean home. 
From East and weary West, 

From North and South they come. 

They rush and roar, they whirl and leap, 
Not wilder drives the wintry storm : 
Yet a strong law they keep, 

Strange powers their course inform. 

Even so the mighty sky-born Stream : — 
Its living waters from above 
All marr'd and broken seem, 
No union and no love. 



212 Lessons of Nature. 

Yet in dim caves they haply blend, 
In dreams of mortals unespied : 
One is their awful End, 
One their unfailing Guide. 

We that with eye too daring seek 

To scan their course, all giddy turn : — 
Not so the floweret meek, 
Harebell or nodding fern : 

They from the rocky wall's steep side 
Lean without fear, and drink the spray ; 
The torrent's foaming pride 
But keeps them green and gay. 

And Christ hath lowly hearts, that rest 
Amid fallen Salem's rush and strife : 
The pure, peace-loving breast 
Even here can find her life. 

What though in harsh and angry note 
The broken flood chafe high ? they muse 
On mists that lightly float, 
On heaven-descending dews, 



The Waterfall 213 

On virgin snows, the feeders pure 

Of the bright river's mountain springs : — 
And still their prayers endure, 
And Hope sweet answer brings. 

If of the Living Cloud they be 
Baptismal drops, and onward press 
Toward the Living Sea 
By deeds of holiness, 

Then to the Living Waters still 

(O joy with trembling !) they pertain, 
Joined by some hidden rill, 
Low in Earth's darkest vein. 

Scorn not one drop : of drops the shower 
Is made, of showers the waterfall : 
Of children's souls the Power 
Doomed to be Queen o'er all. 



214 Lessons of Nature. 



10. 

THE STARRY HEAVENS. 

H So shall thy seed be." 

" More and more Stars ! and ever as I gaze 

Brighter and brighter seen ! 
Whence come they, Father 1 trace me out their ways 

Far in the deep serene." 
My child, these eyes of mine but faintly show 

One step on earth below : 
And even our wisest may but dream, they say, 
Of what is done on high, by yon empyreal ray. 

Thou know'st at deepening twilight, how afar 

On heath or mountain down 
The shepherds kindle many an earthly star, 

How from the low damp town 
We through the mist the lines of torchlight trace 

In dwellings proud or base : 
But whom they light, what deeds and words are there, 
We know but this alone — 'tis well if all be prayer. 



The Starry Heavens. 215 

Whether on lonely shades the pale sad ray 

From a sick chamber fall, 
Or amid thousands more beam glad and gay 

From mirthful bower or hall, 
If pure the joy, and patient be the woe, 

Heaven's breath is there, we know : 
And surely of yon lamps on high we deem 
As of pure worlds, whereon the floods of mercy 
stream. 

Yea, in each keen heart-thrilling glance of theirs 

Of other stars we read, 
Stars out of sight, souls for whom Love prepares 

A portion and a meed 
In the supernal Heavens for evermore, 

When sun and moon are o'er ; 
Fixed in the deep of grace and song, as these 
In the blue skies, and o'er the far-resounding seas. 

More and more Stars, here in our outward Heaven, 

More and more Saints above ! 
But to the wistful gaze the sight is given, 

The vision to meek love, — 



216 Lessons of Nature. 

Love taught of old to treasure and embalm 

Whatever in morning calm 
Or evening soft steals from the gracious skies, 
The dry ground freshening with the dews of Paradise. 

All humble holy gleams I bid thee seek, 

Dim lingering here below ; 
So shall the Almighty give a tongue to speak, 

A heart to read and know 
Of Saints at Home, robed and in glory crowned. 

Dews on the lowly ground 
May to the downward eye true token yield, 
Yea even in glaring morn, of midnight Heaven's pure 
field. 

Stars to the childish eye may gathered seem 

Into strange shapes and wild, 
Lion or Eagle, Bear or Harp — such dream 

As heathen hearts beguiled : — 
Or as a flock untended, roaming wide 

Heaven's waste from side to side : 
But of a central glory sages sing, 
Whence all may be discerned in clear harmonious ring, 



The Starry Heavens. 217 

Such are Saints' ways — the forms so manifold 

Our mystic Mother wears, 
O far unlike our dreamings, young and old ! — 

But Faith still onward fares, 
Love-guided, heaven-attracted, till she reach 

The orb whence all and each 
By golden threads of order and high grace 
Are pendant evermore, all beauteous, all in place. 

More and more Stars ! behold yon hazy arch, 

Spanning the vault on high, 
By planets traversed in majestic march, 

Seeming to earth's dull eye 
A breath of misty light : but take thou wing 

Of Faith, and upward spring : — 
[nto a thousand stars the blended light 
Will part ; each star a world with its own day and 

night. 

Not otherwise of yonder Saintly host 

Upon the glorious shore 

Deem thou. He marks them all ; not one is lost ; 

By name He counts them o'er. 
11 



218 Lessons of Nature, 

Full many a soul, to man's dim praise unknown, 

May on its glory-throne 
As brightly shine, and prove as strong in prayer, 
As theirs, whose separate beams shoot keenest through 
this air. 

My child, even now 1 see thy tender breath 

Full quickly come and go 
At sound of praise. O may the touch of Faith 

Those chords so fine and low 
Early controul, and tune thy heart too high 

For aught beneath the sky. 
So may that little spark of glory swell 
To a full orb, and soar with loftiest Saints to dwell. 



ttjffX &t&8oxiB of (faxatt. 



ISAAC ON MORIAH. 

" Abide you here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder and worship." 

Dread was the mystery on Moriah's hill : 
Low on the ridge the cloud of morning lay : 

From each dark fold, along each gliding rill. 

Strange whispers from the mountain met our way. 

But we must wait below, and upward gaze, 
While toward the mount the father and the son 

Pursue their course, soon in that awful haze 
To vanish, till the appointed deed be done. 

So when the Lord for some parental heart 
Prepares a martyr's crown, He calls on high 

Father and child, in His still shrine apart 
To learn His lore of healing agony. 



220 Lessons of Grace. 

We may but stay without, and wondering pray ; 

Unknown to us that deep of love and woe, 
The knife in Abraham's hand upraised to slay, 

Meek Isaac bound and waiting for the blow. 

Weak as the echo of some distant knell, 

Borne now and then on breathing winds of eve, 

Comes to our ear the sound : — " I see full well 

The fire and wood ; but who the Lamb will give ?" 

Fitful and faint, should Angel bless our dream, 
The memory now would fleet and now abide. 

Such to our hearts the stern sweet form may seem 
Of him who said, " The Almighty will provide." 

Not even to dwellers on the mystic height, 
Not to the Saints, is full enlightening given : 

The Cross, they hold by, towers beyond their sight, 
On the hill peak opens a deeper heaven. 

Yea, though in one were gathered all the woes 
That mourners e'er on household altars laid, 

Widows' and orphans' tears, untimely throes, 
Fears, that the memory of loved souls o'ershade, 



Isaac on Moriah. 221 

What were it all, to match one drop of Thine, 
One bitter drop, poured on Thy mountain here 

In Thine own hour 1 O joy ! that Blood is mine : — 
For us it flowed, even as for Saint and seer. 

Well may we mourn our dull cold heart, and eye 

That up the mount of glorious sacrifice 
Sees such a little way : yet kneel we nigh : 

Turn not away : let prayer in gloom arise. 

He who beside His own the cross allows 
Of penitential grief; — who to each Saint 

Calls from His height of woe ; His bleeding brows 
Will meekly droop to hear our breathing faint. 



222 Lessons of Grace, 



SONG OF THE MANNA-GATHERERS. 

" This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat." 

Comrades, haste ! the tent's tall shading 

Lies along the level sand 
Far and faint : the stars are fading 

O'er the gleaming western strand. 
Airs of morning 

Freshen the bleak burning land. 

Haste, or ere the third hour glowing 

With its eager thirst prevail 
O'er the moist pearls, now bestrowing 

Thymy slope and rushy vale, — 
Dews celestial, 

Left when earthly dews exhale. 



Song of the Manna- Gatherers. 223 

Ere the bright good hour be wasted, 

Glean, not ravening, nor in sloth : 
To your tent bring all untasted ; — 

To thy Father, nothing loth, 
Bring thy treasure : 

Trust thy God, and keep thy troth. 



Trust Him : care not for the morrow ; 

Should thine omer overflow, 
And some poorer seek to borrow, 

Be thy gift nor scant nor slow. 
Would st thou store it ? 

Ope thine hand, and let it go. 



Trust His daily work of wonder, 
Wrought in all His people's sight : 

Think on yon high place of thunder, 
Think upon the unearthly light 

Brought from Sinai, 
When the prophet's face grew bright, 



224 Lessons of Grace. 

Think, the Glory yet is nigh thee, 
Power unfelt arrests thine arm, 

Love aye watching, to deny thee 
Stores abounding to thy harm. 

Rich and needy 
All are levelled by Love's charm. 



Sing we thus our songs of labour 
At our harvest in the wild, 

For our God and for our neighbour, 
Till six times the morn have smiled, 

And our vessels 
Are with two-fold treasure piled. 



For that one, that heavenly morrow, 
We may care and toil to-day : 

Other thrift is loss and sorrow, 
Savings are but thrown away. 

Hoarded manna ! — 
Moths and worms shall on it prey. 



Song of the Manna- Gatherers. 225 

While the faithless and unstable 

Mars with work the season blest, 
We around Thy heaven-sent table 

Praise Thee, Lord, with all our best. 
Signs prophetic 

Fill our week, both toil and rest. 



Comrades, what our sires have told us- 
Watch and wait, for it will come : 

Smiling vale shall soon enfold us 
In a new and vernal Home : 

Earth will feed us 
From her own benignant womb. 



We beside the wondrous river 
In the appointed hour shall stand, 

Following, as from Egypt ever, 

Thy bright Cloud and outstretched Hand : 

In thy shadow 
We shall rest, on Abraham's land. 

11* 



226 Lessons of Grace. 

Not by manna showers at morning 
Shall our board be then supplied, 

But a strange pale gold, adorning 
Many a tufted mountain's side, 

Yearly feed us, 
Year by year our murmurings chide. 



There, no prophet's touch awaiting, 
From each cool deep cavern stan 

Rills, that since their first creating 
Ne'er have ceased to sing their part. 

Oft we here them 
In our dreams, with thirsty heart. 



Oh, when travel-toils are over, 
When above our tranquil nest 

All our guardian Angels hover, 
Will our hearts be quite at rest ? 

Nay, fair Canaan 
Is not heavenly Mercy's best. 



Song of the Manna- Gatherers. 227 

Know ye not, our glorious Leader 

Salem may but see, and die ? 
Israel's guide and nurse and feeder 

Israel's hope from far must eye, 
Then departing 

Find a worthier throne on high. 



Dimly shall fond Fancy trace him, 

Dim though sweet her dreams shall prove, 

Wondering what high Powers embrace him, 
Where in light he walks above, 

Where in silence 
Sleeping, hallows heath or grove. 



Deeps of blessing are before us : 
Only, while the desert sky 

And the sheltering cloud hang o'er us, 
Morn by morn, obediently, 

Glean we Manna, 
And the song of Moses try. 



228 Lessons of Grace. 



THE GIBEONITES. 



"I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them, neither will I turn 
again till 1 have destroyed them." 



" Behold me, Lord, a worthless Gibeonite, 
Unmeet to bear one burthen in thy sight, 
To hew thy servants' wood, or water draw, 
Yet trusted with thine own eternal Law. 
The deadlier sure the guilt, the doom more drear, 
Should Canaan powers prevail — and they are near. 
The world of Sense, five mighty Monarchs, hard 
Upon me lies, and I thy robe have marr'd. 
Chariot and horse they come, a fearful fray : — 
I cannot stand alone this evil day." — 
" Go, shamed and scared, seek Joshua in thy need, 
Him and all Israel : they for thee shall plead. 
Their voice hath power to stay the sun, and win 
The frail fallen mourner time to hate his sin. 



The Gibeonites. 229 

But when their prayer hath laid the Tempter low, 

Be sure thou crush him : deal out blow on blow • 

Set thy stern foot upon his neck, and hide 

His corse, unpitying, in the dark cave's side ; 

Nor venture but in thought to move the stones 

That guard his place, lest even in those dry bones 

Some quickening fiend the bold bad life renew, 

And thou in sevenfold guilt thy heart's backsliding 



230 Lessons of Grace. 



4. 



DAVID'S CHILDHOOD. 

" Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings thou hast ordained 
strength, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." 

Christian child, whoe'er thou be. 
Purer oil than David knew, 
Mingling with baptismal dew, 

Heaven hath dropped on thee. 

Strength is given thee, watch to keep 
O'er the lamb He bought so dear, 
Thine own soul to watch in fear : — 
Sleep no faithless sleep. 

When the Lion and the Bear, 

Chfldish Pride and childish Wrath, 
Lay athwart thy morning path, 
Thou didst win by prayer. 



David's Childhood. 231 

Now a mightier foe is nigh ; 
Holy hands for a new strife 
Thee have stored with ampler life : 
Set thine heart on high. 

Not with sword and shield and lance, 
But with charm- words from our Book, 
Gems from our baptismal Brook, 
Meet his stern advance, 

He through every gate of sense, 
Eye and ear, taste, touch, and smell, 
Fain would hurl the shafts of hell : 
Seek thou strong defence. 

Guard in time those portals five 

With the smooth stones from the Fount, 
With the Law from God's own Mount : 
So thy war shall thrive. 

Keep thy staff, the Cross, in hand : 
Thou shalt see the giant foe 
By the word of Faith laid low, 
O'er him conquering stand. 



232 Lessons of Grace. 

Mark and use the trial- hour : 

When his whispers nearest sound. 
Be thou then most faithful found, 
Then tread down his power. 

Stripling though thou be, and frail, 
Thy right arm shall wield his sword, 
Wield, and take his head abhorred, — 
Christ in thee prevail. 



Lessons of Grace. 233 



5. 



ELIJAH AT SAREPTA. 



" Make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make 
for thee and for thy son." 



Lo, cast at random on the wild sea sand 

^ A child low wailing lies : 

Around, with eye forlorn and feeble hand, 

Scarce heeding its faint cries, 
The widowed mother in the wilderness 
Gathers dry boughs, their last sad meal to dress. 

But who is this that comes with mantle rude 

And vigil-wasted air ? 
Who to the famished cries, " Come give me food, 

I with thy child would share ?" 
She bounteous gives : but hard he seems of heart, 
Who of such scanty store would crave a part. 



234 Lessons of Grace. 

Haply the child his little hand holds forth, 

That all his own may be. — 
Nay, simple one, thy mother's faith is worth 

Healing and life to thee. 
That handful given, for years ensures thee bread ; 
That drop of oil shall raise thee from the dead. 

For in yon haggard form He begs unseen, 

To Whom for life we kneel : 
One little cake He asks with lowly mien, 

Who blesses every meal. 
Lavish for Him, ye poor, your children's store, 
So shall your cruse for many a day run o'er. 

And thou, dear child, though hungering, give glad 
way 

To Jesus in His need : 
So thy blest mother at the awful day 

Thy name in Heaven may read ; 
So by His touch for ever mayst thou live, 
Who asks our alms, and lends a heart to give. 



Lessons of Grace. 235 



NAAMAN'S SERVANT. 
" Who hath despised the day of small things'?" 

" Who for the like of me will care ?" 
So whispers many a mournful heart, 

When in the weary languid air 
For grief or scorn we pine apart. 

So haply mused yon little maid 

From Israel's breezy mountains borne, 

No more to rest in Sabbath shade 
Watching the free and wavy corn. 

A captive now, and sold and bought, 
In the proud Syrian's hall she waits, 

Forgotten — such her moody thought — 
Even as the worm beneath the gates. 



236 Lessons of Grace. 

But One who ne'er forgets is here : 
He hath a word for thee to speak : 

Oh serve Him yet in duteous fear, 
And to thy Gentile lord be meek. 

So shall the healing Name be known 
By thee on many a heathen shore, 

And Naaman on his chariot throne 
Wait humbly by Elisha's door ; 

By thee desponding lepers know 
The sacred waters' sevenfold might. 

Then wherefore sink in listless woe ? 

Christ's poor and needy, claim your right ! 

Your heavenly right, to do and bear 
All for His sake ; nor yield one sigh 

To pining Doubt ; nor ask, " What care 
In the wide world for such as I ?" 



Lessons of Grace. 237 



HEZEKIAH'S DISPLAY. 

" There is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.'* 

When Heaven in mercy gives thy prayers return, 
And Angels bring thee treasures from on high. 

Shut fast the door, nor let the world discern, 
And offer thee fond praise when God is nigh. 

In friendly guise, perchance with friendly heart, 
From Babel, see, they haste with words of love : 

But if thou lightly all thy wealth impart, 
Their race will come again, and all remove. 

Ill thoughts, the children of that King of Pride, 
O'er richest halls will swarm, and holiest bowers, 

Profaning first, then spoiling far and wide : — 

Voluptuous Sloth make free with Sharon's flowers. 



238 Lessons of Grace. 

Close thou the garden-gate, and keep the key, 
There chiefly, where the tender seedlings fold 

Their dainty leaves — a treasure even to thee 
Unknown, till airs celestial make them bold. 

When sun and shower give token, freely then 
The fragrance will steal out, the flower unclose : 

But busy hands, and an admiring ken, 

Have blighted ere its hour full many a rose. 

Then rest thee, bright one, in thy tranquil nook, 
Fond eyes to cherish thee, true arms to keep, 

Nor wistful for the world's gay sunshine look ; — 
In its own time the light will o'er thee sweep. 

Think of the babes of Judah's royal line : — 

Display but touched them with her parching glare 

Once, and for ages four they bare the sign, 
The fifth beheld them chained in Babel's lair. 



Lessons of Grace. 239 



8. 



ST. JOSEPH. 



' He called His name Jesus." 



The glorious Sun at morn 

Draws round him a soft screen, 
Clear haze, of light and moisture born ; 
So are the bright forms seen, 

His royal cradle round 
Standing in meet array, 
Clouds of all hues, not wholly drowned 
In dazzling floods of day. 

Thou temperest, Lord, the rays 
Which in thy manger burn 
Till Faith in that deep glory-blaze 
Dim shapes of earth discern : 



240 Lessons of Grace* 

The spotless Mother, first 

Of creatures : His mild eye, — 
favoured ! — who her travail nursed, 
And Thy dread infancy. 

Him o'er Thee lowly bent, 
Or meekly waiting nigh, 
Or on some homely task intent, 
Yet conscious who is by, 

Or on the journey wild, 
With duteous staff in hand, 
Guiding the Mother and the Child 
Across the sea of sand, 

Thy Church in memory views ; 
Nor can her babes aright 
On Bethlehem or on Nazareth muse, 
But he is still in sight. 

O balm to lonely hearts, 
Who childless or bereft, 
Yet round the cradle find their parts, 
Their place and portion left 



St. Joseph. 241 



In bowers of home delight : — 
Yet may they draw full near, 
And in the treasure claim their right, 
Their share of smile and tear, 

Of thrilling joys and cares. — 
" Father in God :" — who knows 
How near it brings us, unawares. 
To true parental throes ? 

Mightier perchance may prove 
The lore the Font imparts 
To strangers, than all yearning love 
In heathen Mothers' hearts. 

Whom Jesus Father owned,* 
Though childless to our eyes, 
Doubt not, his soul was higher toned 
To parents' sympathies, 

Than sires on earth may know : — 
And when His Octave came, 
He o'er the Lord did first below 
Speak the Most Holy Name. 

* St. Luke ii. 48, 49 

12 



242 Lessons of Grace. 

Wherefore in chorus kind 
Of household jubilee, 
Name thou his name with willing mind, 
Who spake Christ's Name o'er thee. 

And when at holy tide, 

Along the Church-way borne 
Thou seest how babes in triumph ride 
On arms by rude toil worn ; — 

Or mark'st, how well agree, 
Both leading and both led, 
Grey Poverty and childish Glee ; — 
Leave not His lore unread : 

Then of Saint Joseph think, 
And of his dread Nurse-Child. 
Let eyes, that day, from evil shrink, 
And hearts be undefiled. 



Lessons of Grace. 243 



THE BOY WITH THE FIVE LOAVES. 

" If thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little.* 

What time the Saviour spread His feast 
For thousands on the mountain's side, 
One of the last and least 

The abundant store supplied. 

Haply, the wonders to behold, 
A boy 'mid other boys he came, 
A lamb of Jesus' fold, 
Though now unknown by name. 

Or for his sweet obedient ways 

The Apostles brought him near, to share 
Their Lord's laborious days, 
His frugal basket bear. 

Or might it be his duteous heart 
That led him sacrifice to bring 
For his own simple part, 

To the world's hidden King ? 



244 Lessons of Grace, 

Well may I guess how glow'd his cheek, 
How he look'd down, half pride, half fear : 
Far off he saw one speak 
Of him in Jesus' ear. 

" There is a lad — five loaves hath he, 
And fishes twain : — but what are they, 
Where hungry thousands be ?" — 
Nay, Christ will find a way. 

In order, on the fresh green hill, 

The mighty Shepherd ranks His Sheep 
By tens and fifties, still 

As clouds when breezes sleep. 

Oh who can tell the trembling joy, 
Who paint that graye endearing look, 
When from that favoured boy 

The wondrous pledge He took ? — 

Keep thou, dear child, thine early word ; 
Bring Him thy best : who knows but He 
For His eternal board 

May take some gift of thee ? 



The Boy with the Five Loaves. 245 

Thou prayest without the veil as yet ; 
But kneel in faith : an arm benign 
Such prayer will duly set 
Within the holiest shrine. 

And Prayer has might to spread and grow. 
Thy childish darts, right- aim'd on high, 
May catch Heaven's fire, and glow 
Far in the eternal sky : 

Even as He made that stripling's store 
Type of the Feast by Him decreed, 
Where Angels might adore, 
And souls for ever feed. 



246 Lessons of Grace. 

10. 

THE MOURNERS FOLLOWING THE CROSS. 

" Weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children." 

There is no grief that ever wasted man, 
But finds its hour here in Thine awful week, 
And since all Mother's love from Thee began, 
Sure none, like Thee, of Mother's woe can speak. 
Thine ear prophetic, Lord, while angels wreak 
The vengeance on Thine heritage defil'd, 
While temples crash, and towers in ashes reek, 
And with each gust some kingdom strews the wild, 
LDses no lowly moan, no sigh of sobbing child. 

Even so might seamen's wives at midnight drear 
Lie listening to the blast, and tell aright 
The tale of all the waves, that far and near 
Break on the reef, yet miss no wailing slight 
Of nestling babe, for wonder or delight 
Uttering faint cries in sleep. — O restless care ! 
Oh all foreseeing pity ! — be our flight 
In winter, soothing spells will He prepare, 
And for His lambs allay the bleak heart-killing air. 



The Mourners following the Cross. 247 

Or if the holy Day the few brief hours 
Of flight abridge, for nursing-mother frail, 
For tender babe, Thou send'st Thine unseen powers 
To help or hide : — hide in the lowly vale, 
Help o'er the weary mountain. — Ne'er may fail 
The prayer of helpless Faith ; — but she must pray, 
Her forceful knocking must Heaven's door assail : 
For so of old He taught : " Pray that your way 
Be not in winter wild, nor on the Sabbath Day." 

The season He bids choose, who in strong hand 
Winter and summer holds, and day and night, 
Binding His sovereign will in Love's soft band ; — 
As parents teach their little ones to write 
With gently-guiding finger, and delight 
The wish and prayer to mould, then grant the boon : — 
Such is Thy silent grace, framing aright 
Our lowly orisons in time and tune 
To Litanies on high, controlling sun and moon. 

And as the heart maternal evermore 
Must rise in prayer, so the maternal feet 
Must feel their dim way on the lonely shore, 
Ere o'er the path the unpitying surges beat. 



248 Lessons of Grace. 

At early dawn, the fresh spring dews to greet, 
I bid thee haste, else vainly wilt thou crave 
An hour in winter. Fast the week-days fleet, 
Slow speeds the work : the lingerers who shall save ? 
Thy task ere Sunday end, thy life before the grave. 

Who may the horror but in dream abide, 
Breathless to knock, and by the portal wait 
Where Saints have past behind their glorious Guide, 
Then feel, not hear, the sad drear word, " Too late ?" 
Woe, in that hour, to souls that seek the gate 
Alone ! but deeper anguish, direr gloom, 
If to thy bosom clinging, child or mate, 
Pupil or friend, the heaven-prepared room, 
Tardy through thee, should miss, and share the hopeless 
doom ! 



Lessons of Grace. 249 



11. 

ST. ANDREW AND HIS CROSS. 

" Where 1 am, there shall also my servant be." 

O Holy Cross, on thee to hang 

At Jesus' side, and feel the sweet, 
And taste aright each healing pang, 
What Saint, what Virgin Martyr e'er was meet ? 

Two only of His own found grace 
The very death He died to die. 
Joyful they rush'd to thine embrace, 
While Angel choirs, half envying, waited by. 

Joyful they speed ; — but how is this 1 

Why doubt they yet, in Jesus' power 

To grasp their crown of hard won bliss ? 

Well have ye fought ; why faint in Victory's hour ? 
12* 



250 Lessons of Grace. 

Two brothers' hearts were they, the first 

Who shone as stars in Jesus' Hand, 
For thee in Prayer and Fasting nurs'd, 
And bearing thee, dread Cross ! from land to land. 

And now in wondrous sympathy, 

When thou art nearer fain to draw, 
These who had yearn'd so long for thee 
Shrink from thy touch, and hide their eyes for awe. 

He who denied — he dares not scale 
With forward step thy holy stair. 
Best for his giddy heart and frail 
In humblest penance to hang downward there. 

And he, that saintly Elder meek, 

Wont of old time to find and bring 
Brother or friend with Christ to speak, 
As worthier to behold the heart-searching King : — 

Ah little brook'd his lowly heart, 

Such glorious crown should him reward. 
He sought the way with duteous art 
To change his Cross, yet suffer with his Lord. 



St. Andrew and his Cross. 251 

He sought and found : and now where'er 

Saint Andrew's holy Cross we see, 
In royal banner blazon 'd fair, 
Or in dread Cipher, Holiest Name, of thee, 

A martyr'd form we may discern, 

There bound, there preaching : Image meet 
Of One uplifted high, to turn 
And draw to Him all hearts in bondage sweet. 

And as we gaze may He impart 

The grace to bear what He shall send, 
Yet stay the rash self-pleasing heart, 
Too forward with His Cross our penal woe to blind. 



IX §olg piatts anft $t)tng0. 



PREPARING FOR SUNDAY SERVICES. 

" As they went to tell His Disciples, Jesus met them, saying, ' All hail.' r * 

Behold, athwart our woodland nest, 

And down our misty vale, 
From his own bright and quiet rest 
The Sunday sun looks out, and seems to say, "All 
hail." 

True token of that brighter Day, 
Which hailed, this matin hour, 
The holy women on their way. 
They sought His Church in love, He met them in His 
power. 



Preparing for Sunday Services* 253 

And dare we the transporting word 

To our own hearts apply ? 
Trembling we dare ; for He had heard 
Our lowly breathed vows, ere flamed yon morning sky. 

We have been by His Cross and grave ; 

His Angel bade us speed 
Where they resort, whom He will save, 
And hear and say as one, " The Lord is risen indeed." 

Then speed we on our willing way, 

And He our way will bless. 
In fear and love thy heart array : 
Straight be thy churchway path, unsoiled thy Sabbath 
dress. 



254 Holy Places and Things. 

2. 

WALK TO CHURCH. 

"The path of the Just is as the shining light, which shine th more and 
more unto the perfect day." 

Now the holy hour is nigh, 

Seek we out the holy ground ; 
Overhead the breezy sky, 

Rustling woodlands all around : 
Fragrant steams from oak-leaves sere, 

Peat and moss and whortles green, 
Dews that yet are glistening clear 

Through their brown or briary screen. 

Hie we through the autumnal wood, 

Pausing where the echoes dwell, 
Boys, or men of boyish mood, 

Trying how afar they swell. 
Haply down some opening glade 

Now the old grey tower we see, 
Underneath whose solemn shade 

Jesus risen hath sworn to be. 



Walk to Church. 255 

He hath sworn, for there will meet 

Two or three in His great name, 
Waiting till their incense sweet 

Feel His heaven-descended flame. 
Day by day that old grey tower 

Tells its tale, and week by week 
In their tranquil hoary bower 

To the unlearned its shadows speak. 



256 Holy Places and Things, 



THE LICH-GATE. 

" Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God." 

This is the portal of the dead. — 

Nay, shrink not so, my fair-eyed boy, 
But on the threshold grating tread 
With wary softness : tame the joy, 
The wildfire keen, that all the way 
Even from our porch at home hath danced with thee so 
gay. 

This is the holy resting-place, 

Where coffins and where mourners wait, 

Till the stoled priest hath time to pace 
His path toward this eastern gate, 
Like one who bears a hidden seal 
Of pardon from a king, where rebels trembling kneel. 



The Lich-gate. 257 

Brief is the pause, but thoughts and dreams 
By thousands on that moment crowd, 

Of clouds departing, opening gleams, 
A waning lamp, a brightening shroud : 
Such visions fill the longing eyes 
As haply haunt the space 'twixt earth and Paradise. 



Such visions in the churchyard air 
Are gleaming, fluttering all around. 

O scare them not away : beware 
Of bolder cry and ruder bound. 
Thick as the bees that love to play 
Under the lime-tree leaves the livelong summer day, 

And tunable as their soft song, 

And fragrant as the honey'd flowers 

They haunt and cherish, is the throng 

Of thoughts in these our hallowed bowers. 
On every gale that stirs the yew 
They float, and twinkle in each drop of morning dew. 



258 Holy Places and Things. 

Oh then revere each old grey stone, 

And gently tread the mounds between. 
So when thy blithsome days are done, 
And thou, as I, shalt wearied lean 
Upon the wicket low, and tell 
Thy tale of playmates called before thee here to 
dwell ; — 

When thou shalt mark, how swarms the street 

With boys at play, the turf with graves, 
All in one little hour to meet 

And hear the doom that slays or saves \ — 
Fresh may the memory prove and dear, 
How thou hast come and gone, since first we brought 
thee here. 

Then shall the wings, so strong in need, 
Which met thee at the Font that hour, 
And homeward joy'd with thee to speed, 
O'ershade thee still in love and power, 
And with the churchyard shadows blend 
Which thy last entering here shall in sweet peace 
, attend. 



Holy Places and Things* 259 

4. 
OBEISANCE AT ENTERING CHURCH. 

" They shall see His Face, and His Name shall be in their foreheads." 

Come hear with duteous mind 
Thy Mother's whisper'd word. 
" Wouldst thou upon His threshold find 

Thy dread and loving Lord ? 
Renew in silence on thy brow 
The pledge of thy first saving vow. 55 

Safe in thy forehead keep 

The mark by Jesus set. 
Before thee is a mighty deep, 

A baptism waits thee yet : 
As Lazarus rising, such thou art, 
Thy soul and flesh again to part. 

But when thy Lord and thou, — 

Thou from the grave, and He 
From Heaven, — shall meet, upon thy brow 

A glorious Cross shall be, 
A Light that needs no watching o'er, 
Even as He rose, and died no more. 



260 Holy Places and Things. 



5. 

THE EMPTY CHURCH. 

" The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple " 

Why should we grudge the hour and house of prayer 
To Christ's own blind and lame, 
Who come to meet Him there ? 
Better, be sure, His altar-flame 
Should glow in one dim wavering spark, 
Than quite die down, and leave His temple drear and 
dark. 

"But in our Psalm their choral answers fail." — 
Nay, but the heart may speak, 
And to the holy tale 
Respond aright in silence meek. 
And well we know, bright angel throngs 
Are by, to swell those whisperings into warbled songs. 



The Empty Church. 261 

What if the world our two or three despise 1 
They in His name are here, 
To Whom in suppliant guise 
Of old the blind and lame drew near. 
Beside His royal courts they wait m 

And ask His healing Hand : we dare not close the 
gate. 



262 Holy Places and Things. 



CHURCH DECORATIONS. 

" I will not offer burnt-offerings without cost." 

" Why deck the high cathedral roof 

With foliage rich and rare, 
With crowns and flowerets far aloof, 

To none but Angels fair ? 

" Why for the lofty Altar hide 
Thy gems and gold in store ? 

Why spread the burnished pall so wide 
Upon the chancel floor V s 

Nay, rather ask, why duteous boy 

And mother-loving maid 
Scarce in their filial gifts find joy, 

If nought of theirs be paid : 



Church Decorations. 263 

Why hearts, that true love-tokens need 

For brother or for friend, 
Count not the cost with careful heed, 
But haste their all to spend : 

Ask why of old the favoured king 

Enquired the Temple's price, 
Not bearing to his Lord to bring 

An unbought sacrifice. 

Yea, lowly fall, and of thy Lord 

In silence ask and dread, 
Why praised He Mary's ointment, poured 

Upon His Sacred Head. 



264 Holy Places and Things. 

7. 
CHURCH WINDOWS. 

" The Lord my God shall come, and all the Saints with Thee : and it shall 
come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark." 

Oft have I heard our elders say, 

How sad the autumnal hour, 
How rude the touch of stern decay, 
How fast the bright hues melt away 

In mountain, sky, and bower ! 

Yet is it dear delight to me 

The rustling leaves to tread, 
To heap and toss them wild and free, 
Their fragrance breathe, and o'er them see 

Soft evening lustre shed. 

And some will say, 'tis drear and cold 

In holy Church to kneel 
With one or two, Christ's little fold, 
With blind and lame, with poor and old, 

There met for Him to heal. 



Church Windows. 265 

Nay, look again : the Saints are there ; 

Christ's ever-glowing Light 
Through heavenly features grave and fair 
Is gleaming ; all the lonely air 

Is thronged with shadows bright. 

The Saints are there : — the Living Dead, 

The Mourners glad and strong ; 
The sacred floor their quiet bed, 
Their beams from every window shed, 

Their voice in every song. 

And haply where I kneel, some day, 

From yonder gorgeous pane 
The glory of some Saint will play :—- 
Not lightly may it pass away, 

But in my heart remain. 

13 



266 Holy Places and Things. 



8. 

RELICS AND MEMORIALS. 

"As the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land." 

The Twelve holy men are gathered in prayer. 
The Psalm mounts on high, the Spirit descends : 
A keen silent thrilling is round them in air, 
A Power from the Highest with thought and word 
blends. 

They pass by tne way, to sight poor and mean. 
How glorious the train that streams to and fro ! 
The blind, dumb, halt, withered, by hundreds are 

seen, 
The prisoners of Satan lie chained where they go. 

O lay them but where the shadow may fall 
Of Christ's awful Saint, to prayer as he speeds : 
The mighty love-token all fiends shall appal, 
A gale breathe from Eden, assuaging all needs. 



Relics and Memorials. 267 

Or bring where they lie Paul's girdle or vest : 
One touch and one word : the pain fleets away, 
The dark hour of frenzy is charmed into rest : — 
The hem of Christ's garment all creatures obey. 

Christ is in His Saints : from Godhead made Man 
The virtue goes out, the whole world to bless, 
O'er lands parched and weary that shadow began 
To spread from Saint Peter, and ne'er shall grow less. 

See Acts, iv. and v. 



268 Holy Places and Things. 



CARVED ANGELS. 

" Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones : for in Heaven 
their angels do always behold the Face of My Father." 

Greatest art Thou in least, O Lord, 

And even thy least are great in Thee : 
A mote in air, a random word, 

Shall save a soul if Thou decree : — 
Much more their presence sweet, 
Whom with an oath Thou didst into thy Kingdom 
greet. 

A little child's soft sleeping face 

The murderer's knife ere now hath staid: 
The adulterous eye, so foul and base, 
Is of a little child afraid. 

They cannot choose but fear, 
Since in that sign they feel God and good Angels 
near. 



Carved Angels. 269 

For by the Truth's sure oath we know, 
There is no christened babe but owns 
A Watcher mightier than his foe, 
One of the everlasting Thrones, 
Who in high Heaven His face 
Beholding ever, best His likeness here may trace. 



As in each tiny drop of dew, 

Glistening at prime of morn, they mark 
Of Heaven's great Sun an image true, 
Hear their own chantings in the Lark, 
So, sleeping or awake, 
They love to tend their babes for holy Bethlehem's 
sake. 



And so this whole fallen world of ours, 
■ To us all care, and sin, and spite, 
Is even as Eden's stainless bowers 
To the pure spirits out of sight, — 
To Angels from above, 
And souls of infants, sealed by new-creating Love. 



270 Holy Places and Things. 

Heaven in the depth and height is seen ; 

On high among the stars, and low 
In deep clear waters ; all between 
Is earth, and tastes of earth : even so 
The Almighty one draws near 
To strongest seraphs there, to weakest infants here. 



And both are robed in white, and both 

On evil look unharmed, and wear 
A ray so pure, ill Powers are loth 
To linger in the keen bright air. 
As Angels wait in joy 
On Saints, so on the old the duteous-hearted boy. 



God's Angels keep the eternal round 
Of praise on high, and never tire. 
His Lambs are in His Temple found 
Early, with all their hearts' desire. 
They boast not to be free, 
They grudge not to their Lord meek ear and bended 
knee. 



Carved Angels. 271 

O well and wisely wrought of old, 

Nor without guide, be sure, who first 
Did cherub forms as infants mould, 

And lift them where the full deep burst 
Of awful harmony 
Might need them most, to waft it onward to the 
sky : — 

Where best they may in watch and ward 
Around the enthroned Saviour stand, 
May quell, with sad and stern regard, 
Unruly eye and wayward hand, 
May deal the blessed dole 
Of saving knowledge round from many a holy scroll. 

What if in other lines than ours 

They write, in other accents speak ? 
There are whom watchful Love empowers 
To read such riddles ; — duteous seek, 
And thou shalt quickly find. 
The Mother best may tell the eager babe's deep mind. 



272 Holy Places and Things. 

Haply some shield their arms embrace, 
Rich with the Lord's own blazonry. 
The Cross of His redeeming grace, 

Or His dread Wounds, we there descry. 
His standard-bearers they : 
Learn we to face them on the dread Procession Day. 

And Oh ! If aught of pride or lust 

Have soiled thee in the world, take heed : 
Entering, shake off the mire and dust. 
Angelic eyes are keen, to read 
By the least lightest sign, 
When we foul idle thoughts breathe in the air divine. 

And how, but by their whisperings soft, 

Feel virgin hearts when sin is near, 
Sin even in dreams unknown ? Full oft 
Such instinct we may mark in fear, 
Nor our own ill endure 
In presence of Christ's babes, and of their Guardians 
pure. 



Holy Places and Things. 273 



10. 
CHURCH RITES. 

" Christ is all and in all." 

The wedding guests are met, 

The urns are duly set, 
Even as the Lord had taught his own of old. 

Filled are they to the height 

With water pure and bright : — 
Now pour them out — 'tis done, and purest wine behold. 

The bridegroom kneels beside 

His bashful loving bride ; 
Earth on that hour seems showering all her best. 

But more than earth e'er knew 

He wins, if hearts be true : — 
An Angel friend, to share his everlasting rest. 

A babe in deep repose 
Where holy water flows 
Is bathed, while o'er him holiest words are said. 

13* 



274 Holy Places and Things. 

A child of wrath he came — 
Now hath he Jesus' Name : 
A glory like a Saint's surrounds his favoured head. 

A mortal youth I saw 

Nigh to God's Altar draw 
And lowly kneel, while o'er him pastoral hands 

Were spread with many a prayer, 

And when he rose up there, 
He could undo or bind the dread celestial bands. 

When Bread and Wine he takes, 

And of Christ's Passion makes 
Memorial high before the Mercy Throne, 

Faith speaks, and we are sure 

That offering good and pure 
Is more than Angels' bread to all whom Christ will own. 

Mid mourners I have stood, 

And with sad eye pursued 
The coffin sinking in the grave's dark shade ; 

The immortal life, we know, 

Dwells there with hidden glow, 
Brightly to burn one day when sun and stars shall fade. 



Church Rites. 275 

What is this silent might, 

Making our darkness light, 
New wine our waters, heavenly Blood our wine ? 

Christ, with His Mother dear, 

And all His Saints, is here, 
And where they dwell is Heaven, and what they 
touch, divine. 

The change of water into wine was believed by the ancients to typify that 
change which St. Paul in particular so earnestly dwells on : " Old things are 
passed away : behold, all things are become new." And St. John, "He that sit- 
teth on the Throne saith, Behold, I make all things new." Accordingly St. 
Cyprian applies this first miracle to the admission of the Gentiles into the 
Church. 'JEp. 63. ed. Fell.) And St. Augustine, to the evangelical interpreta- 
tion of the Old Testament. (In Joan. Tract. 8.) And St. Cyril of Alexandria 
(in loc.) to the Spirit superseding the letter. This then being the "beginning 
of miracles" a kind of pattern of the rest, showed how Christ's glory was to 
be revealed in the effects of His Sacramental Touch ; whether immediately, as 
when He touched the leper and healed him : or through the hem of His gar- 
ment: or by Saints, His living members, according to His Promise, "The works 
that I do shall ye do also : and greater works than these shall ye do, because I 
go unto my Father." Thus, according to the Scriptures, the Sacramental 
Touch of the Church is the Touch of Christ : and her system is " deifica disci- 
plina," a rule which, in some sense, makes men gods, and the human, divine ; 
and all this depends on the verity of the Incarnation, therefore His Mother is 
especially instrumental in it ; besides being, as nearest to Him, the most glo- 
rious instance of it. "The Mother of Jesus is there, and bdth Jesus and His 
Disciples are called, — " (He as the Bridegroom and Author of the whole mys- 
tery, they as ministers, servants, and instruments,) — to this mysterious "mar- 
riage" or Communion of Saints. 



276 Holy Places and Things. 

11. 
WHITE APPAREL. 

I. The Chrisom. 

V These are they which have washed their robes, and made them white in 
the Blood of the Lamb." 

All gorgeous hues are in the pure white beam, 

All Christian graces in one drop of Love 

That sparkles from the bright baptismal stream 

Over the fair young brow, where gently move 

Christ's dawning rays. Therefore the veil ye wove, 

Good Angels, under Bethlehem's healing star, 

Whose virtue this our new-born joy shall prove, 

Is spotless white : and from its folds afar, 

Even as from banner waved in Angels' war, 

The dark Powers flee. But thou, heaven honoured 

child. 
Let no eartn'-stain thy robe of glory mar : 
Wrap it around thy bosom undefiled ; 
Yet spread it daily in the clear Heaven's sight, 
To be new-bathed in its own native Light. 



White Apparel. 277 



11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

II. The Sunday Dress. 
u Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments." 

So keep thou, by calm prayer and searching thought, 

Thy Chrisom pure, that still as weeks roll by, 

And Heaven rekindles, gladdening earth and sky, 

The glow that from the grave our Champion brought, 

Pledge of high victory by His dread Wounds wrought 

Thou mayst put on the garb of Purity, 

And from thy prayer look up with open eye, 

Him owning, who from shame and sinful blot 

Hath kept thee safe, nor suffered base desire 

Thy soul to haunt, unhallowing the good hour. 

Then on thy way to church rejoicing fare, " ; 

Yet heedful, gathering up from earthly mire 

The glittering folds : for even in Sunday air 

Foul spirits love to lurk with tainting power. 



278 Holy Places and Things. 



11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

III. Confirmation. 

" Ye shall be as the wings of a Dove, that is covered with silver wings. ' 

Speed on, ye happy Sunday hours, O speed 
The moment when a richer gift shall crown 
A riper faith : — when Childhood, casting down 
Her innocent vesture, the pure Chrisom weed, 
Shall claim the sevenfold radiance, erst decreed 
Where true hearts kneel 'neath Apostolic hands. 
White are his mantle folds, who ready stands 
Before the shrine, to bless and intercede : 
And duteous maidens, skilful in Love's law, 
Unbidden use in stainless white to come : 
As doves, that to the bright clouds upward draw, 
Plume the soft lily breast, the more to win 
Of splendour from the Light's far cloudless home. 
O deep, that hour, the bliss or curse within ! 



White Apparel. 279 



11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

IV. Priests in White. 

" When they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed 
with linen garments." 

And even the very walls of the dread place, 
And the tall windows with their breathing lights, 
Speak to the adoring heart, and say, No base 
Or week-day garb may him beseem, who writes 
God's message here in hearts of men, — invites 
To the bright nuptial feast of joy and grace. 
But Angels waiting on our awful rites 
Should in our frail and mortal Angel trace 
Some hue of their own robes, what time they raise 
The censer, heaped with prayer, before the throne : 
And Innocents, in wonder moved to gaze 
On the new glory, mantling forms well-known, 
Should ask and learn the clue to Angels' ways : — 
" The vision is for the pure heart alone." 



280 Holy Places and Things. 



11. 
WHITE APPAREL. 

V. Choristers in White. 

" — the Levites which were the singers, with their sons and their 

brethren, being arrayed in white linen." 

Within a reverend Minster I have stood, 

As one to whom, for many a godless deed, 

The Choir was clos'd : — fit penance and due meed 

Sad conscience own'd it : — one by one I view'd 

With wistful eye the entering multitude. 

At last with joyous step, but sober heed 

Of holy things, like fawns in forest mead, 

Timid yet happy, the white-robed brood 

Of Choristers swept by : — then musings came, 

" What happier dawn of being than to meet 

Matins and vespers here with punctual feet ? 

What happier close, than here in peace to lay, 

Wearing the white robe still, th' exhausted frame, 

And so, through life, Heaven's garb and speech assay ?" 



White Apparel 281 



11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

VI. Bridal White. 

"And unto her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen 
white and clean.*' 

Once more unto thine Altar, Lord, once more, 
In vesture of thy Saints : for Joy and Love 
Have vow'd, to day, their best on earth to prove, 
And Pureness, guardian sole of their rich store 
Of blessing and delight. Arm we the more 
Both heart and limb with brightness from above : 
So may we scare the noisome beasts that rove 
There busiest, where Earth's rapture most runs o'er. 
Well are they warn'd, who in that dangerous bliss 
May on some Innocent look down, array'd 
In bridal white, flower of the nuptial band, 
Unconscious, yet o'erjoy'd : nor far amiss 
Deem they perchance, who in that smiling maid 
Heaven's youngest Angel see, with wreath in hand. 



282 Holy Places and Things. 



11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

VII Penitents in White. 
" Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him." 

But what if Chrisom robes be sin-defil'd, 

If nuptial white of broken vows bear trace, 

If he who daily in the holy Place 

Wears the bright albe, in heart be gross and wild, 

So that the stones, whereon the shrine is piPd, 

Seem to cry out, " Who hath requir'd this grace 

Of thee, the consecrated floor to pace, 

Thrice pledg'd and thrice forsworn V O Saviour mild, 

Hast Thou, for these, a white robe yet in store ? 

Yea : the Church path is by the fount of tears, 

And a grave Angel stands beside the door, 

Laden with vest for contrite pilgrims meet. 

Him trust with all ; sad memories and dim fears : 

Then kneel in white before the Mercy-seat. 



White Apparel 283 



11. 



WHITE APPAREL. 

VIII. White upon the Altar. 

"He bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the 
linen." 

O Lord, give gracious humbleness of heart. 
And chaste and grave imaginings, in awe 
Veiled evermore, that as we nearer draw 
To thy tremendous Altar, or impart 
Unto thy little ones the skill and art 
Of holy things, and the mysterious law 
Whereby Faith sees whate'er Apostles saw, 
No ill may glance or eye or mind athwart. 
So unreproved may we'to babes declare 
The secret of the Altar's snow-white pall, 
And of the linen garment, bright and fair, 
Spread o'er the glorious Sacrifice when all 
Have tasted. 'Tis as Jesus' winding sheet, 
And theirs, who die clasping His sacred Feet. 



284 Holy Places and Things. 

11. 

WHITE APPAREL. 

IX. The Winding Sheet. 

" Not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon." 

Pure is the glory of the Chrisom vest ; 

Joyous the Sunday-robe ; all hope and might 

The heavenly gleam, when dovelike wings alight 

On the twice-sealed brow ; benignly rest 

The smiles of Angels on the mitred crest 

And flowing skirt of Priests, whose stainless white 

The heart belies not ; or on striplings bright, 

Glancing like spirits through the region blest ; 

Or on glad bridal train, around the shrine 

Gathered with starlike and unchanging gleam ; 

But most where dimly robes of penance shine. 

Yet all is vain, if the last glory fail, 

If with the cold pale shroud the Font's pure beam 

Blend not, and o'er all hues of death prevail. 



Holy Places and Things. 285 



12. 



REDEREAST IN CHURCH. 

"The creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into 
the glorious liberty of the children of God." 

What is this sudden thrill 

Of notes so sweet and keen ? 
The organ's waves of sound are still 

Within the awful screen. 
In prayer are bowed both head and knee, 
And yet unbidden rings and free 

A chant from one unseen. 

A winged chorister 

From his arched nook on high 
Makes in the calm a gladsome stir, 

His proper melody : 
A Redbreast blithe, his evening hymn 
Trying amid the shadows dim, 

Attracts both ear and eye. 



286 Holy Places and Tilings. 

Nor time nor tune are there, 
Yet sounds the unruly joy 
Meet for the hour, nor spoils the prayer 

Even of the gazing boy. 
It seems to say, Not man alone 
Lives in the shade of Jesus' Throne, 
And shares the Saints' employ. 

The Angels out of sight 

Worship with us, we know ; 
And who can say what pure warm light 

The unreasoning tribes below 
May by their kindly wafting feel 1 
What gleams to guide, what balms to heal 
From Christ on earth may flow ? 

Bird, beast, and insect hail 

Warm sun and fragrant shower. 
The sheep in Bethlehem's thymy dale, 

In Blessed Mary's bower 
The ox and ass — to them was given 
To see our Lord : the Light of Heaven 
Fell on them in that hour. 



Redbreast in Church. 287 

And since our Lord she bare 

In triumph to His place, 
One patient beast hath seemed to wear 

The mark of His high grace, 
His token to dumb creatures, freed 
From slavery and unholy deed, 

From cruel tasks and base : — 

Freed by the mighty Cross, 

And pure. — O mark it, all 
Who bear that sign ! O fear and loss, 

Should ye again enthrall 
To woe and wrong His creatures, sealed 
For blessing, aid to earn and yield, 

As ere our father's fall ! 



288 Holy Places and Things. 

13. 
DISUSE OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 

" Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience 
is fulfilled." 

O wondrous warfare of the Spouse of God, 
Trampled to earth, yet wielding bolts so keen, 

She dares not hurl them in her wrath abroad, 
Only their ireful lustre glares half-seen. 

For if she once unlock her quivered store, 

Once speak the words that in her bosom dwell, 

Earth could not bear the sound ; the anguish sore 
Might drive her haughtiest to the scourge and cell. 

For she hath power to shut the Heaven on high, 
Oft as in hallowed air her dread notes thrill, 

That no shower fall : and she may smite and try 
Earth with all plagues, as often as she will. 

Only her potent arm now for a space 

Lies withered : quenched and dull her arrowy fires, 
Like smouldering brands in daylight, till her race 

Wake, as of old, to heaven-born high desires. 



Disuse of Exco?nmunication. 289 

But would one Church Christ's awful lore obey, 
Like Saints of old, — one household, one true heart, 

Such sacrifice might open the dread way 
For the Old Signs, for Paul's or Moses' art. 

Darkness and mist, at one stern word of thine, 
Might even on scorners' outward eyes descend ; 

Fire might break out of each insulted shrine, 
Thy locusts spoil them, and thy lions rend. 

Haunt us, dire thought ! where'er we walk in sin 
That mighty secret Power is all our foe : 

But they who bear unharm'd Heaven's seal within 
May through the penal fires rejoicing go. 

So when the storm is rife among the hills, 

Roused on his heathery bed the mountain boy 

To every flash that through the dim air thrills 

Keeps time with eager hands, and screams for py. 



Note from the Life of Sir Walter Scott, i. 83. " There is a story of his 
having been forgotten one day among the knolls when a thunderstorm 
came on ; and his aunt, suddenly recollecting his situation, and running out 
to bring him home, is said to have found him lying on his back, clapping his 
hands at the lightning, and crying out, « Bonny, bonny,' at every flash." 

14 



290 Holy Places and Things. 

14. 
DISUSE OF INFANT COMMUNION. 

"There shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him."' 

O Lord, behold these babes are Thine, 
Thy treasured nurslings pure and sweet : 

We have sought counsel at thy shrine : 

" Where may they sit with Thee, and eat V 9 
Thou saidst, " The Water-Bearer meet 

Within the chosen City's round, 

Trace Him along the hallowed street, 

And where He guides, be duteous found. 

" Where glorious Sion rests on high 

Amid the hills that on her wait, 
Him faithful following, ye shall spy 

A wicket in a lowly gate : 

There early knock, there linger late, 
There in Christ's Name the room require, 

Where the Great Lord in royal state 
Shall eat the Bread of His desire. 



Disuse of Infant Communion. 291 

" Then to the spacious upper room 

The Host will bid you onward fare, 
Round many a nook of deepest gloom, 

Up many a broken wearying stair. 

The handmaid Penance hath been there, 
And swept and garnished all the place. 

Haste, and with loyal hands prepare 
For Me and Mine the Feast of Grace." 



Thou spak'st, and we thine infants bore, 
And bathed them in the Living Well 

That gushes out beside the door, 

Where Thou, O Lord, delight'st to dwell : 
Then lowly on our knees we fell, 

And prayed, that through the world's hot day 
Dews from that hour, a balmy spell, 

Might gently freshen all their way, 

Now, trembling still as they advance 
Up the far shadowing awful nave, 

Full oft we bid them backward glance 

Where gleaming from its heavenly cave, — 



292 Holy Places and Things. 

The Saviour's side, — the healing wave 
Falls in the fount of their new birth. 

The ears that hear its murmuring, crave 
No tinsel melodies of earth. 



When to the Chancel arch they come, 

" Pause here," we say, " and search with fear 
If yet the pledge of your high doom 

Upon the sealed brow appear. 

If worn and faint, by many a tear 
Renew the lines, then humbly kneel 

Till He invite — till sure and near 
The gliding of soft wings ye feel. 

" Then to the inner shrine make haste, 
Fall prostrate with anointed brows, 

Adore, and of the Adored taste. 

Such bliss the Love untold allows." 
Of old, we read, the intrusted Spouse 

Her infants to the Anointing led 

Straight from the Laver and the vows ; — 

Yea, Christ was then the children's bread. 



Disuse of Infant Communion. 293 

But now some mournful instinct chills 
Our Mother's joy, and mars our spring : 

She, as of old, to the bright hills 

Her eaglets' speed at once would wing : 
Now far and wide earth's vapours fling 

Their tainting dews ; and she perchance 
Shrinks from the fall such flight may bring, 

Fears the debasing, downward glance. 

Then in low place with lowly heart 

Wait we, dear babe, both thou and I, 
Bide we our time, and take such part 

In the Bride's awful minstrelsy, 

As she whose laws are sealed on high 
Ordains : and if long lingering tire, 

Yet may we hope, Faith's virgin sigh 
The purer mounts, to meet Heaven's fire. 



294 Holy Places and Things. 



15. 



THE OFFERTORY. 



1 God loveth a cheerful giver." 



Christ before thy door is waiting ; 
Rouse thee, slave of earthly gold. 

Lo, He comes, thy pomp abating, 
Hungry, thirsty, homeless, cold :— 
Hungry, by whom Saints are fed 
With the Eternal Living Bread ; 
Thirsty, from whose pierced side 
Healing waters spring and glide ; 

Cold and bare He comes, who never 
May put off His robe of light ; 

Homeless, who must dwell for ever 
In the Father's Bosom bright. 



The Offertory. 295 

In kind ambush alway lying 
^ He besets thy bed and path, 
Fain would see thee hourly buying 

Prayers against the time of wrath, 

Prayers of thankful mourners here, 

Prayers that in Love's might appear 

With the offerings of the Blest, 

At the shrine of perfect rest. 
See, His undecaying treasure 

Lies like dew upon the grass, 
To be won and stored at pleasure : — 

But its hour will quickly pass. 

Christ before His Altar standing, 

Priest of Priests, in His own Day, 
Calls on thee, some fruit demanding 

Of the week's heaven-guarded way. 

See His Arm stretch'd out to bless : 

Whoso nearest to Him press, 

Open-handed, eagle-eyed, 

They may best that Arm abide, 
When, the last dread lightnings wielding, 

He shall lift it, and decree, 



296 Holy Places and Things. 

" Go, ye churls of soul unyielding, 
Where nor gift nor prayer shall be." 



Jesus in His babes abiding 

Shames our cold ungentle ways, 
Silently the young heart guiding 

To unconscious love and praise. 

See out-reached the fingers small, 

Ever, at each playful call, 

Ready to dispense around 

Joys and treasures newly found. 
Fearless they of waste or spoiling 

Nought enjoy but what they share ; 
Grudging thought and care and moiling 

Live not in their pure glad air. 

Strange the law of Love's combining !- 
As with wild winds moaning round 

Tones from lute or harp entwining 
Make one thread of solemn sound ;— 
As calm eve's autumnal glow 
Answer to the woods below - } — 



The Offertory. 297 



As in landscape leaf or stone, 

Cloud or flower, at random thrown, 
Helps the sadness or the glory ; — 

So the gift of playful child 
May recall thy natal story, 

Church of Salem undefiled ! 

How the new-born Saints, assembling 
Daily 'neath the shower of fire, 

To their Lord in hope and trembling 
Brought the choice of earth's desire. 
Never incense-cloud so sweet 
As before the Apostles' feet 
Rose, majestic Seer, from thee, 
Type of royal hearts and free, 

Son of holiest consolation, 

When thou turn'dst thy land to gold, 

And thy gold to strong salvation, 
Leaving all, by Christ to hold : — 

Type of Priest and Monarch, casting 

All their crowns before the Throne, 

And the treasure everlasting 

Heaping in the world unknown. 
14* 



298 Holy Places and Things. 

Now in gems their relics lie, 
And their names in blazonry, 
And their forms from storied panes 
Gleam athwart their own loved fanes, 

Each his several radiance flinging 
On the sacred Altar floor, 

Whether great ones much are bringing, 
Or their mite the mean and poor. 

Bring thine all, thy choicest treasure, 
Heap it high and hide it deep : 

Thou shalt win overflowing measure, 
Thou shalt climb where skies are s.teep. 
For as Heaven's true only light 
Quickens all those forms so bright, 
So where Bounty never faints, 
There the Lord is with His Saints, 

Mercy's sweet contagion spreading 
Far and wide from heart to heart, 

From His Wounds atonement shedding 
On the blessed widow's part. 



Holy Places and Things, 299 



16. 



CHURCH BELLS. 



' Let the hills hear thy voice.' 



" Wake me to-night, my mother dear, 

That I may hear 
The Christmas Bells, so soft and clear, 
To high and low glad tidings tell, 
How God the Father loved us well, 

How God the Eternal Son 
Came to undo what we had done, 
How God the Paraclete, 
Who in the chaste womb framed the Babe so sweet, 
In power and glory came, the birth to aid and greet. 



300 Holy Places and Things. 

" Wake me, that I the twelvemonth long 

May bear the song 
About with me in the world's throng ; 
That treasured joys of Christmas tide 
May with mine hour of gloom abide ; 

The Christmas carol ring 
Deep in my heart, when I would sing ; 
Each of the twelve good days 
Its earnest yield of duteous love and praise, 
Ensuring happy months, and hallowing common ways. 



" Wake me again, my mother dear, 

That I may hear 
The peal of the departing year. 
O well I love, the step of Time 
Should move to that familiar chime : 

Fair fall the tones that steep 
The Old Year in the dews of sleep, 
The New guide softly in 
With hopes to sweet sad memories akin ! 
Long may that soothing cadence ear, heart, conscience 



Church Bells. 301 

In the dark winter, ere the snow 

Had lost its glow, 
This melody we learned ; and lo ! 
We hear it now in every breeze 
That stirs on high the summer trees. 

We pause and look around — 
Where may the lone church-tower be found, 
That speaks our tongue so well 1 
The dim peal in the torrent seems to dwell, 
X greets us from afar in Ocean's measured swell. 



Perhaps we sit at home, and dream 

On some high theme, 

i 
And forms, that in low embers gleam, 

Come to our twilight Fancy's aid : 

Then, wavering as that light and shade, 

The breeze will sigh and wail, 

And up and down its plaintive scale 

Range fitfully, and bear 

Meet burden to the lowly whispered air, 

And ever the sweet bells, that charmed Life's morn, 

are there. 



302 Holy Places and Things 

The pine-logs on the hearth sometimes 

Mimic the chimes, 
The while on high the white wreath climbs, 
Which seething waters upward fling, 
In prison wont to dance and sing, 

All to the same low tune. 
But most it loves in bowers of June 
At will to come and go, 
Where like a minster roof the arched boughs show, 
And court the pensive ear of loiterer far below. 



Be mine at Vesper hour to stray 

Full oft that way, 
And when the dreamy sounds decay, 
As with the sun the gale dies down, 
Then far away, from tower or town, 

A true peal let me hear, 
In manifold melodious cheer, 
Through all the lonely grove 
Wafting a fair good-night from His high love, 
Who strews our world with signs from His own 
world above. 



Church Bells. 303 

So never with regretful eye 

Need we descry 
Dark mountains in the evening sky, 
Nor on those ears with envy think, 
Which nightly from the cataract shrink 

In heart-ennobling fear, 
And in the rushing whirlwind hear 
(When from his Highland cave 
He sweeps unchained over the wintry wave) 
Ever the same deep chords, such as home fancies 
crave. 

Ever the same, yet ever new, 

Changed and yet true, 
Like the pure heaven's unfailing blue, 
Which varies on from hour to hour, 
Yet of the same high Love and Power 

Tells alway : — such may seem 
Through life, or waking or in dream, 
The echoing Bells that gave 
Our childhood welcome to the healing wave : 
Such the remembered Word, so mighty then to s 



304 Holy Places and Things, 



17. 



CONTINUAL SERVICES 

(For the Sunday before Advent.) 
"Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost ■» 

O endless round of Nature's wheel, 
How doth thine untired course reveal 

The universal spring 
Of Power and Motion ! Not in keen 
And sudden startings, far between,* 

But smooth as sea-bird's wing, 
Gliding unwearied, now in air 

And now in Ocean, 
As though Life's only call and care 
Were graceful motion. 

• " Continuo, non vero per sal turn." 

Newton. 



* Continual Services. 305 

Such are your changes, Space and Time, 
Dying away in softest chime, 

With gentlest intervals 
Aye lessening on the ear, and felt 
As when into each other melt 

The hues where evening falls. 
Thus moon to moon gives silent place, 

And bright stars waning 
Gradual retire, while morn's still pace 
On night is gaining. 



Thus or for increase or decay 

The seasons wind their viewless way, 

Nor but by word of man 
Or measure rude by man imposed, 
Is known when day or year hath closed, 

Summer or Winter's span. 
And ever onward as we go, 

The wide earth rounding, 
The horizon moves in gentle flow, 
Not in harsh bounding. 



306 Holy Places and Things. 

For why ? the unseen Preserver's law 
Is nigh, to master and o'erawe 

The creatures in their race, 
Else starting each its own wild way. 
So Nature, saved from disarray, 

Is free to wait on Grace : 
And still, as Earth and Time steal on 

To their dread ending, 
New fragments may of both be won 
For holy spending. 



Thus high may soar the instructed soul, 
Watching young fingers idly roll 

The mimic earth, or trace 
In picture bright of blue and gold 
The orbs that round the sky's deep fold 

Each other circling chase. 
When plainest strikes the inward ear 

What Heaven hath spoken, 
Then most for our own chant we fear, 
So harsh and broken. 



Continual Services. 307 

His spheres, recede they or advance. 
Before Him in mysterious dance 

Keep tune and time ; nor e'er 
Fails from this lower world a wreath 
Of incense, such as sweet flowers breathe, 

And vernal breezes bear. 
Only man's frail sin-wearied heart 

Bears, half in sadness, 
A wavering, intermitted part 
In that high gladness. — 

Yes : so it was ere Jesus came. 
Alternate then His altar-flame 

Blazed up and died away ; 
And Silence took her turn with Song, 
And Solitude with the fair throng 

That owned the festal day. 
For in earth's daily circuit then 

One only border 
Reflected to the Seraphs' ken 
Heaven's light and order. 



308 Holy Places and Things. 

But now to the revolving sphere 
We point, and say, No desert here, 

No waste so dark and lone, 
But to the hour of sacrifice 
Comes daily in its turn, and lies 

In light beneath the Throne. 
Each point of time, from morn to eve, 

From eve to morning, 
The shrine doth from the Spouse receive 
Praise and adorning. 



While on our couch we listless dream, 
Or drink perforce of care's dull stream, 

Yet somewhere in that hour 
The holy words are uttered, Earth 
Is partner made in Angels' mirth, 

The unspeakable, pure shower 
Of blessings to the unbloody rite 

Even now is winging 
Its awful way, The Infinite 
To meek hearts bringing. 



Continual Services. 309 

'Tis said, of yore some child of pride 
Would vaunt him how his empire wide 

The bright sun never left. 
So in the Name of our dread King 
Of incense and pure offering 

We never are bereft. 
'Tis morning here, 'tis evening there, 

And prayer must vary ; 
But evermore through silent air, 
Nor dull nor weary, 



From earth, the footstool of His feet, 
Mounts to the Lord the savour sweet 

Of That which once for all 
He gave upon the Cross, and we 
Give daily, earth's release to be 

From daily woe and thrall. 
Thus to Heaven's Bride, so chaste and sweet, 

A voice is granted, 
The notes untiring to repeat 
In high Heaven chanted. 



310 Holy Places and Things. 

Then mourn we not with drooping heart 
Though half the globe may seem to part 

Our prayers from home and friends. 
Our matins meet their even song, 
And the dread Offering, all day long, 

All prayer, all duty blends. 
The Eucharist of God's dear Son, 

Like Him undying, 
Is mighty, worlds and hearts in one 

For ever tying. 



Wherefore in solemn cheer we pass 

(Now that the Church hath turned her glass) 

From year to dawning year. 
All years to Him are one : and thou, 
In virtue of thy first dread vow 

Signing thyself in fear, 
Make haste, dear child, and onward press 

To high Communion : — 
Thy fragments He will glean, and bless 
With perfect union. 



X §olg 0M0Ott0 cm& Ways. 



i. 



CHRISTMAS EVE : VESPERS. 

" If it bear fruit, well : if not, then after that Thou shalt cut it down.' 

The duteous sun hath ceased to keep 

The vigil of his wondrous birth, 
Who in few hours, while sinners sleep, 
Shall dawn on thankless earth. 

The sun is set, the stars begin 

Their stations in His watch on high, 
As once around that Bethlehem inn ; 
The vesper hour is nigh. 



312 Holy Seasons and Days, 

A little maid with eager gaze 

Comes hurrying to the House of Prayer, 
Shaping in heart a wild green maze 
Of woodland branches there. 

One look, — a cloud comes o'er her dream : 
No burnished leaves, so fresh and clear, 
No berries with their ripe red gleam : — 
" There is no Christmas here." 

What if that little maiden's Lord, 

The awful Child on Mary's knee, 
Even now take up the accusing word : — 
" No Christmas here I see. 

" Where are the fruits I yearly seek, 

As holy seasons pass away, 
Eyes turned from ill, lips pure and meek, 
A heart that strives to pray 'I 

" Where are the glad and artless smiles, 

Like clustering hollies, seen afar 
At eve along the o'ershaded aisles, 
With the first twilight star ?" 



Christmas Eve : Vespers, 313 

Spare, gracious Saviour, me and mine : 

Our tardy vows in mercy hear, 
While on our watch the cold skies shine 
Of the departing year. 

Ere we again that glimmering view, 

Cleansed be our hearts and lowly laid ; 
The unfruitful plant do Thou renew, 
And all beneath its shade. 

By winter frosts and summer heats, 

By prunings sharp and waterings mild, 
Keen airs of Lent, and Easter sweets, 
Tame Thou the sour and wild. 

And dare we ask for one year more ? 

Yea, there is hope : One waits on high 
To tell our contrite yearnings o'er, 
And each adoring sigh. 

If He in Heaven repeat our vow, 

We copying here His pure dread Will, — 

O dream of joy ! — the withered bough 

May blush with fruitage still. 
15 



314 Holy Seasons and Days. 



CHRISTMAS EVE: COMPLINE. 

" Rejoice in the Lord alway." 

Rejoice in God alway, 

With stars in Heaven rejoice, 
Ere dawn of Christ's own day 

Lift up each little voice. 
Look up with pure glad eye, 
And count those lamps on high. 
Nay, who may count them ? on our gaze 
They from their deeps come out in ever widening 
maze. 

Each in his stand aloof 

Prepares his keenest beam, 
Upon that hovel roof, 

In at that door, to stream, 



Christmas Eve : Compline. 315 

Where meekly waits her time 

The whole earth's Flower and Prime : — 
Where in few hours the Eternal One 
Will make a clear new day. rising before the sun. 

Rejoice in God alway, 

With each green leaf rejoice, 
Of berries on each spray 

The brightest be your choice. 
From bower and mountain lone 
The autumnal hues are gone, 
Yet gay shall be our Christmas wreath, 
The glistening beads above, the burnished leaves 
beneath. 

Such garland grave and fair 
His Church to-day adorns. 
And — mark it well — even there 

He wears His crown of thorns. 
Should aught profane draw near, 
Full many a guardian spear 
Is set around, of power to go 
Deep in the reckless hand, and stay the grasping Foe. 



316 Holy Seasons and Days. 

Rejoice in God alway, 

With Powers rejoice on high, 
Who now with glad array 

Are gathering in the sky % 
His cradle to attend, 
And there all lowly bend. 
But half so low as He hath bowed 
Did never highest Angel stoop from brightest cloud. 

Rejoice in God alway, 

All creatures, bird and beast, 
Rejoice, again I say, 

His mightiest and His least ; 
From ox and ass that wait 
Here on His poor estate 
To the four living Powers, decreed 
A thousand ways at once His awful car to speed. 

Rejoice in God alway : 

With Saints in Paradise 
Your midnight service say, 

For vigil glad arise. 



Christmas Eve : Compline. 317 

Even they in their calm bowers 
Too tardy find the hours 
Till He reveal the wondrous Birth : 
How must we look and long, chained here to sin and 
earth ! 

Ye babes, to Jesus dear, 
Rejoice in Him alway. 
Ye whom He bade draw near, 

O'er whom He loved to pray, 
Wake and lift up the head 
Each in his quiet bed. 
Listen : His voice the night- wind brings : 
He in your cradles lies, He in our carols sings. 



318 Holy Seasons and Days. 



3. 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 

( While waiting on an Infant at home.) 
"Behold, I and the children which God hath given me." 

Thou, who didst choose thine awful room 
Within the undefiled womb, — 
The bridal chamber, where our God 
For spousals high made brief abode, 
High spousals, evermore to bind 
The Godhead with our fallen kind : — 
Now while the o'erarching clouds among 
Echoes the Angels' matin song, 
While, heart and hand, 
In every land 
The Saints their sacrifice prepare 

The Cradle to adore of Heaven's dread Heir, 
Behold where in the silent shade 

Thy slumbering little ones till matin prime are laid. 



Christmas Bay. 319 

Soon will a thousand bells ring out, 

A thousand roofs the choral shout 

Prolong, where Kings with Shepherds meet 

His manger with their gifts to greet. 

What shall we do, mine infant dear, 

Who may not those glad anthems hear ? 

How shall we serve Him, thou and I, 

Far from that glorious company ? 
Thou smil'st in sleep : 
Who knows how deep 

The dream of joy that smile denotes ? 
Mild as the summer lightning, see, it floats, 

As if, the new-born Spirit o'er, 
Came voices low from where departed babes adore. 



Such is thy silent Liturgy, 
But what is ours who wait on thee ? 
We offer thee to Him, this hour, 
Who in like slumber veil'd His power : 
Thy cradle with its hopes and fears, 
Thy May-day smiles and April tears, 
VVhate'er thou hast, whatever thou art, 



320 Holy Seasons and Days. 

Howe'er thy mother's dreaming heart 
Shapes thy bright doom 
In years to come ; — 
All with that offering would we blend, 
Which saints on earth to Angel hands commend 

To bear on high, this favoured day, 
And on the sovereign Babe's unquenched altar lay. 



Mysterious are these smiles of thine ; 
But of that Face, the Godhead's shrine, 
Those holy lips, that awful brow, 
Nor Angel then nor Prophet now 
Might truly deem ; none trace aright 
Those hoverings of supernal light. 
No more to sight, in earth or heaven, 
Shall the Eternal Child be given, 
But, Infant dear. 
Unveiled and clear, 
Thou shalt behold Him as He died, 

Thine eye shall gaze upon the Crucified : 
In mercy may He meet thy gaze, 

And all the joy fulfil of all His bright glad days ! 



Holy Seasons and Bays. 321 



4. 



THE EPIPHANY. 



1 They saw the young Child with Mary His Mother, and when they had 
opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts." 

How gaily seems the sun to rise 

On christening days and days of birth, 

Whether he smile in summer skies, 
Or faintly warm the wintry earth ! 

Bright are the dreams he drives away, 

And bright the promise of that day. 

All charms, all gifts of Love are there, 

Love breathes in all the fragrant air. 

Oh haste we then to-day to greet 

Him who is born our glorious King : 

Of gold and myrrh and incense sweet 

Your treasures to His cradle bring. 
15* 



322 Holy Seasons and Days. 

The Virgin Mother waiting by 
Your offering scans with earnest eye, 
Angels and Saints with jealous heed 
Watch if you bring your best indeed. 



And He, the Holiest, Humblest One, 
Making as though He could not see, — 

Yet is His Eye all hearts upon. 
O may He find some good in me ! 

A poor, weak, wayward soul is mine, 

Yet own I, Lord, Thy saving sign. 

Thou seest me daily, how before 

Thy gracious footsteps I adore. 

Fain would I there my stores unfold, 

And of the gifts Thy Love hath given 
One heart restore of virgin gold, 
-- One prayer, like incense, seeking Heaven, 
One drop of penitential Love, 
Fragrant and dear to God above, 
Yet bitter in the mouth as gall, 
Fain would I bring Thee : 'tis mine all. 



The Epiphany. 323 

O blessed, who with eyes so pure 

Have watched Thy cradle day by day, 

Thy look may in their hearts endure, 
Brightening their dim and weary way ! 

Blest, whom sweet thoughts of Christmas tide 

Through all the year may guard and guide, 

As on those sages journeying smiled 

In dreams the Mother and the Child. 



324 Holy Seasons and Days. 



5. 



THE PURIFICATION. 



" The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is 
heard in our land." 



What buds, what fragrant flowers are here ! 
Not yet are Christmas garlands sere, 
The stern bleak months that lead the year 

Are frowning still, 
Yet forth they come, no stay, no fear, 

And bloom at will. 

Each nodding violet spray beneath 
What troops of tender nurslings breathe, 
Close set as gems in bridal wreath ! 

April's last day 
No richer gift did e'er bequeath 

To brightening May. 



The Purification. 325 



The snowdrops round the cottage door 
Are twinkling gay by tens and more, 
The merry children on the floor 

As gay within : 
The birds tell out their vernal lore 

With joyous din. 



As they prevent the matin prime, 

So, might it seem, sweet nature's chime 

Rings out, to greet the holy time. 

Heaven's softest airs 
Wait on the Maid who now shall climb 

The Temple stairs. 



Pure from her undefiled throes, 
Her virgin matron arms inclose 
The only Gift the wide earth knows 

Not all unmeet 
For the dread place where now she goes, 

His mercy-seat. 



326 Holy Seasons and Days. 

See the Redeemer on His way 
Himself to be redeemed to-day . 
In humblest meekness see her lay 

Before the shrine 
Such offerings as poor matrons pay, 

Want's lowly sign. 



But soon the untimely vernal gleam 
Must fade away like morning dream, 
And ill winds blow, and cold mists stream 

On flower and leaf: 
So with the glad prophetic dream 

Come tones of grief. 



" The sword shall pierce thy very soul. 
As on some gay glad hour might toll 
The funeral knell, or thunders roll I 

O'er summer night, 
So did that word thy joy controul, 

Thou Virgin bright ! 



The Purification. 327 

Then, poor and orphan'd though I prove, 
Yet would I praise Thee, Lord, and love, 
And learn of Mary's spotless Dove, 

With moanings meek, 
And soft wing gliding high above, 

Thy Face to seek. 



328 Holy Seasons and Days. 



LENT. 

" Sanctify a fast . . gather the children, and those that suck the breasts." 

'Tis said, the immortal Powers on high 
Might envy Saints on earth, for they can die ; 

They for their Lord may suffer loss ; 
Those but adore, these taste, the healing Cross. 
So while in all beside, dear babe, we pine 

For hope as pure as thine, 
One gift we have, one token more than thou, 
With choice of heart beneath the Saviour's yoke to bow. 

No deep of joy to thee is lost 
From Christmas, Easter, or bright Pentecost : 

No memory-cloud in air, to dim 
The unfolding heavens, or mar the Seraphs' hymn. 



Lent. 329 

The gladsome days are thine : to us are sent 

The wan soft gleams of Lent, 
The kindly waters from the heavens above, 
From earth to be exhal'd in dews of tearful love. 

Our portion in Christ's awful year, 
Not thine, is Lent : and yet He calls thee near. 

Come, spotless one, He seems to say, 
Come with thy pure white robe, and kneel to-day 
Beside the fallen and denTd, and learn 

How keen the fires must burn 
Of the dread Spirit, purging contrite hearts 
With penitential pains,* Truth in the inward parts. 

Oft have we mark'd thy wistful eye 
Fix'd upon ours when evil news came nigh, 

As who should say, " My dreams are bright, 
16 Why should the cloud of woe on thee alight ?" 
Then sweeter grew thy smile, thy soft caress 

Would closer seem to press, 
And for the woe, to thee yet unreveal'd, 
Pure balm of kindly hope thou didst unknowing yield. 



330 Holy Seasons and Days. 

So be it now : the secret dark 
Of wasting sin here in God's awful ark 

In mercy may He keep from thee, 
Yet be thou near, our penance-hour to see, 
Our penance-hour to see, and deeply thrill 

At sense of unknown ill. 
Thou look'st an Angel : be thy presence found 
Like a bright Angel's here, guarding the holy ground. 

Oh much we need a loving spell, 
To scare away the Powers unclean and fell, 

Whom we too oft have tempted nigh, 
To bind our burden, dim our upward eye. 
Thou from the Font art fresh and undefiled. 

O surely, happy child, 
More than angelic power is where thou art, 
More than angelic love, to melt the cold dry heart. 



Holy Seasons and Days. 331 



7. 



EASTER EVE. 

" It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation 
of the Lord." 

The Primroses with kindly gleam 

Are looking out from bower and brake : 

As bright and quiet all things seem 
As if no heart on earth could ache. 

Yet He, the Sun who yester even 
Set in that wild tempestuous gloom, 

When graves flew wide, and rocks were riven, 
Still lingers in the dreary tomb. 

Nor blame our peace : for He will rise, 

His veil for evermore withdrawn. 
O never yet shone vernal skies 

So pure, as shall to-morrow dawn. 



332 Holy Seasons and Bays. 

'Tis in that faith the flowers of Ea'rth 
Their very best make speed to wear, 

And e'en the funeral mound gives birth 
To wild thyme fresh and violets fair. 

Stoop, little child, nor fear to kiss 
The green buds on this bed of death. 

Thou hast thy first baptismal bliss, 

Like new-born babe's, thy fragrant breath. 

Thy fragrant breath with this sweet air 
From briar and turf may duly blend : 

But keep it pure with Fast and Prayer, 
Come early near, and lowly bend. 



Holy Seasons and Days. 333 



EASTER-DAY. 

" I found Him whom my soul loveth ; I held Him, and would not let 
lim go." 

Twas at the matin hour, early before the dawn. 

The prison-doors flew open, the bolts of death were 

drawn. 
Twas at the matin hour, when prayers of Saints are 

strong, 
Where, two short days ago, He bore the spitting, 

wounds, and wrong, 
?rom realms unseen, an unseen way th' Almighty 

Saviour came, 
And following on His silent steps an Angel arm'd in 

flame. 

The stone is roll'd away, the keepers fainting fall ; 
Satan's and Pilate's watchmen — the Day has scar'd 

them all. 



334 Holy Seasons and Days. 

The Angel came full early, but Christ had gone before, 
The Breath of Life, the Living Soul, had breath'd 

itself once more 
Into the sacred Body that slumber'd in the tomb, 
As still and lowly, as erewhile in th' undefiled womb. 
And surely not in folds so bright the spotless winding 

sheet 
Inwrapt Him, nor such fragrance pour'd the myrrh 

and aloes sweet, 
As when in that chaste Bosom, His awful bed, He lay, 
And Mary's prayer around Him rose, like incense, 

night and day. 



And even as when her hour was come, He left His 

Mother mild 
A royal Virgin evermore, heavenly and undehTd, 
So left the glorious Body the rock it slumber'd on, 
And spirit-like in silence past, nor touch'd the sealed 

stone. 
The Angel came full early, but Christ had gone before, 
Not for Himself, but for His Saints, is burst the prison 

door, 



Easter-Day. 335 

That penitents who bring Him tears and perfume of 

good deeds 
May for His glory school their eyes, watching His 

funeral weeds. 

They who have sinn'd, though much they love, — they 
who have thrice denied, — 

5 Tis meet that they awhile beneath the garb of glory 
hide 

A shred of Jesus' grave-clothes, such robes as hermits 
weave \ — 

But Virgin Love needs only to behold, rejoice, believe. 

Dearest, be thine such portion : yet even so, in still 

And humble guise draw nigh : such is thy Saviour's will. 

Stoop lowly o'er His traces dim, and of His Angels 
learn 

Where face to face He will be met, and for that greet- 
ing yearn. 

Thou know'st He died not for Himself, nor for Himself 

arose, 
Millions of souls were in His Heart, and thee for one 

He chose. 



336 Holy Seasons and Days. 

Upon the palms of His pierc'd Hands engraven wasl 

thy name, 
He for thy cleansing had prepar'd His water and His 

flame. 
Sure thou with Him art risen : and now with Him thou 

must go forth, 
And He will lend thy sick soul health, thy strivings, 

might and worth. 
Early with Him thou forth must fare, and ready make 

the way 
For the descending Paraclete, the third hour of the day. 

He veil'd His awful footsteps, our all-subduing Lord, 
Until the Blessed Magdalene beheld Him and ador'd. 
But through the veil the Spouse may see, for her heart 

is as His own, 
That to His Mother or by sight or touch He made 

Him known. 
And even as from His manger bed He gave her His 

first smile, 
So now, while Seraphs wait, He talks apart with her 

awhile ; 



Easter-Bay. 337 

That thou of all the forms, which to thee His image 

wear, 
Might'st own thy parents first, with thy prime of loving 

care. 

And when that first spring-flower of love is gather'd 

be thou seen 
Full soon with mourning Peter, and bereaved Mag- 
dalene, 
And meet with looks of soothing cheer the women on 

their way 
To find the Lord, nor from beside His musing comrades 

stray. 
To Emmaus see thou lose not the narrow path ; for 

there 
With open face He tarries, to give thee Angels' fare. 
Where all His Saints assemble, make haste ere twilight 

cease, 
His Easter blessing to receive, and so lie down in 

peace. 

16 



338 Holy Seasons and Days. 



9. 



WHITSUN EVE. 



" O ray Dove, that art in the clefts of the Rock, let me hear thy voice." 

Well fare the Sage, whose dreams of old 

Would every cradle fain enfold 

In evening clouds of softest sound, 

Slow settling ear and heart around, 

Then with the breeze at morning prime 

Would mingle some heart-thrilling chime, 

Some Dorian movement, bold or grave, 

Such as in inmost soul they crave, 
Who, when the battles of the Lord are fought, 
Shrink from their own frail hearts, else fearing 
nought. 



Whitsun Eve* £39 

Such strains have I desired erewhile, 

When, haply with half-pitying smile, 

One of the attendant Spirits kind, 

Who float unseen on wave or wind, 

Might to another say, " Behold 

The dimly eyed and narrow-souled ! 

He longs for music in the morn, 

Nor heeds the lark's unwearied horn. 
He finds at eve no soothing lullaby, 
Though west winds stir, and whispering pines are 
nigh." 



O heavenly Wisdom, strong and sweet, 
How dost thou tune thy lyre, to meet 
The wakening or half-dreaming cares 
Of souls whom Love for Joy prepares ! 
How do wild Nature's chords, by thee 
Combined in varying melody, 
Make tunes for holy times ! e'en now, 
From underneath the fragrant bough 
In notes of hopeful warning the fair Dove 
Gives token of the approaching morn of love. 



340 Holy Seasons and Days. 

Soft are her tones ; for He draws nigh, 
Who moveth all things quietly : 
Yet grave and deep ; for to His sight 
Heaven's secrets are undazzlihg light : 
Content ; for He on healing wings 
The promise of the Father brings : 
And Comfort is His name ; yet so 
That in His promptings here below 
A wistful uncomplaining sadness still 
Must deeply blend with Joy's adoring thrill. 



As yet we but our vigil hold, 
Not yet the Whitsun flowers unfold 
Their full bright splendours. In the sky 
The third hour's sun must ride full high, 
Ere to the holy glorious room 
The fires of New-Creation come, 
Ere on weak hearts, though willing, fall 
The rushing mighty wind, in all 
The power of its dread harmony, and win, 
Ne'er to die down, true echoes from within. 



Whitsun Eve. 341 

O loving Spirit, gently lay 

Thine arm on ours when we would stray ! 

Prepare us with Thy warnings sweet, 

Us and our little ones, to greet 

Thy visitations dread and dear ! 

Grant us, when holy times are near, 

In twilight or of morn or eve, 

Thy dove-like whisperings to receive, 
And own them kindlier for the plaintive mood, 
That breathes of contrite Love, mild Hope, and Joy 
subdued. 



342 Holy Seasons and Days. 



10. 



WHITSUNDAY. 

" The Promise is unto you and to your children ■ 

5. 

One the descending Flame, 
But many were the tongues of fire ; 

From one bright Heaven they came, 
But here and there in many a spire, 
In many a living line they sped 
To rest on each anointed head. 
There as yon stars in clearest deep of night, 
The glory-crowns shone out in many-coloured light. 

One the dread rushing Wind, 
But many were the tones of praise, 

Love guiding each to find 
His way in Music's awful maze. 



Whitsunday. 343 

Many the tongues, the theme was one, 

The glory of th 5 Incarnate Son, * 
How He was born, how died, how reigns in Heaven, 
And how His Spirit now to His new-born is given. 

Joined in that choral cry 
Were all estates, all tribes of earth : 

Only sweet Infancy 
Seemed silent in the adoring mirth. 
Mothers and maidens there behold 
The Maiden Mother : young and old 
On Apostolic thrones with joy discern 
Both fresh and faded forms, skill'd for all hearts to 
yearn. 

Widows from Galilee, 
Levites are there, and elders sage 

Of high and low degree, 
But nought we read of that sweet age 
Which in His strong embrace He took, 
And sealed it safe, by word and look, 
From Earth's foul dews, and withering airs of Hell : 
The Pentecostal chant on infant warblings swell. 



344 Holy Seasons and Days. 

Nay, but she worships here, 
Whom still the Church in memory sees 

(O thought to mothers dear) 
Before her Babe on bended knees, 
Or rapt, with fond adoring eye, 
In her sweet nursing ministry. — 
How in Christ's Anthem fails the children's part 
While Mary bears Him throned in her maternal heart ? 

Hear too that Shepherd's voice, 
Whom o'er His lambs the Saviour set 

By words of awful choice, 
When on the shore His Saints He met. 
Blest Peter shows the key of Heaven, 
And speaks the grace to infants given : 
" Yours is the Promise, and your babes', and all, 
Whom from all lands afar the Lord our God shall 
call." 



Holy Seasons and Days. 



11. 



OCTAVES OF FESTIVALS. 

" Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound. 

Even as the close of some grave melody, 
Hovering and lingering in the moon's still ray, 
Breathes o'er and o'er, reviving ere they die, 
The notes that are the soul of the sweet lay, 
And hearts that own the music, loitering near, 
Drink the loved cadence with enchanted ear ; 

So the bright holy days, as one by one 

They pass, a glorious week behind them draw. 

Nor will their echo cease till they outrun 

Their Octave : such is heavenly Music's law. 

Nor will Faith's ear grow weary of the strain, 

But long for the glad note to sound again. 
16* 



346 Holy Seasons and Bays. 

Whether the tones were pastoral, warbled low 
On Christmas Eve, but ere the bright sun rise, 
From thousand Seraphs in harmonious flow 
O'erspreading earth new-born and gladdened skies : 
Or in high triumph from beside the tomb 
The sudden anthem pierced the Paschal gloom : 

Or cloudlike soared the long-drawn melody, 
Still upward gliding where the Lord had gone : 
Or in all tongues the Pentecostal cry- 
Rose from all lands in perfect unison : — 
For each and all, seven happy nights and days, 
The Church untiring holds her note of praise. 

For each and all, the eighth mysterious morn 
Doth of the first tell o'er the perfect tale. 
Lo, from Heaven's deep again the lays are borne 
That seem'd for ever past behind the veil. 
(For Thy dread Hours, thou awful Trinity, 
Are but the Whitsun airs, new set on high.) 

'Tis only our dull hearts that tire so soon 

Of Christ's repeated call ; while they in Heaven, 

Unwearied basking in the eternal noon, 

Still sound the note, by the first Seraph given, 



Octaves of Festivals. 347 

What time the Morning Stars around their King 
Began for evermore to shine and sing. 

And you, ye gentle babes, true image here 
Of such as walk in white before the throne, 
Ye weary not of Love, how oft soe'er 
Her yearnings she repeat in unchanged tone. 
To tale familiar, to remembered strain, 
To frolic ten times tried, ye cry, Again. 

How have I seen you, when the unpleasing time 

Came for some kindly guest to pass away, 

Cling round his skirts ! how marked the playful chime 

Of earnest voices, pledged to make him stay ! 

O deeply sink, and with a tearful spell, 

The memories of such welcome and farewell. 

Nor wants in elder love the like soft charm. 
The Mother tires not of one little voice, 
Even as she fain all day with patient arm 
Would bear one burthen. O frail heart, rejoice ! 
Love trains thee now by repetition sweet 
The unwasting and unvarying bliss to greet. 



[The following lines are subjoined, as falling in with the 
plan of the work, though composed too late for insertion in 
their proper place. For the leading idea in them, the au- 
thor is indebted to a friend, the writer of the stanzas in 
p. 19, entitled " The First Smile."] 



Children's Troubles. 349 



V. 13. 

LANGUOR, 

" There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over 
ninety and nine just persons, that need no repentance." 

Come, and with us by summer seas 
The revel hold of Mirth and Ease. 
Together now, and now apart, 
Three happy sprites, we glide and dart 
O'er rock and sand, as free and bright 
As waves that leap in morning light ; — 
Or mark in playful pensiveness 
How fast the evening clouds undress 
O'er gleaming waters far away, 
And by the tir'd Sun gently lay 
Their robes of glory, to be worn 
More gorgeous with returning morn. 
There, and where'er our fancies roam, 
Our trusting hearts are still at home, 



350 Children's Troubles. 

For at our side we feel 
Our father's smile, our mother's glance. 
Say, can this earth a loving trance 

Of deeper bliss reveal ? 

Yes : from the shore with us return, 
And thou a deeper bliss shalt learn. 
Just as the mounting sun hath drawn 
Warm fragrance from the thymy lawn, 
Come to our cottage home, and see 
If aught of sprightly, fresh, and free, 
With the calm sweetness may compare 
Of the pale form half slumbering there, 
Our little sister, late as gay 
As sea-lark drench'd in ocean spray, 
Now from her couch of languor freed 
One hour upon soft air to feed. 
O gently tread, and mildly gaze, 
111 may she brook our bolder ways ; 

The babe who cannot speak 
Tempers, to her, his strong caress ; 
Lightly the small soft fingers press 

The wan and wearied cheek. 



Langour. 351 

And if in festive hour, beside 

The laughing waves and tuneful tide, 

Parental eyes for joy grow dim, 

What notes may trace the heart's deep hymn, 

In silence mingling with the breath 

Of child by prayer recalPd from death, 

Or with the pulse's healthier chime 

In praise melodious keeping time ? 

O, when its flower seems fain to die, 

The full heart grudges smile or sigh 

To aught beside, though fair and dear. 

Like a bruis'd leaf, at touch of Fear 

Its hidden fragrance Love gives out. 

Therefore, this one dear couch about 

We linger hour by hour. 
The love that each to each we bear, 
All treasures of endearing care, 

Into her lap we pour. 

Type of that holiest Family, 
When smitten souls, at point to die, 
Come darkling home, prepar'd to wait 
In doubt and dimness by the gate. 



352 Children's Troubles. 

Then far along the mournful way 

Paternal Love speeds out, to say 

The words of welcome ; Angels bear 

The robe, sweet pledge of pardoning care ; 

And as he daily seeks aright 

His lowly station in their sight, 

They watch th' all-ruling Eye, for leave 

Some flower of Paradise to give, 

Bid amaranth odours round him float, 

Or breathe into his ear one note 

Of that high loving strain, 
Which rings from all the harps of Heaven, 
When from the Shrine the word is given, 

" The dead soul lives again." 

O, if the Powers and Thrones above 
Hover with crowns of joy and love, 
Ungrudg'd, unsparing, over brows 
That mourn in dust their broken vows, 
Rather than where the Saints are seen 
Each reigning in his place serene : — 
If in Love's earthly home and bower 
The mournful or the dangerous hour 



Langour. 353 

Unbalm'd each prayer and longing guides 
To the one couch where Pain abides : — 
He who is Love, and owns Love's Name, 
Is in His ocean springs the same 
As in each little murmuring rill 
That cheers soft mead or pastoral hill : 

Brighter the joy, be sure, 
Before Him, where one sinner weeps, 
Than where, in Heaven's unchanging deeps, 

A thousand orbs endure. 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



A Christian child in pain 

A fragment of a rainbow bright . 

A holy home, young Saint, is thine . 

Alas ! that e'er the pangs of birth 

All gorgeous hues are in the pure white beam 

Alone, apart from Mother dear 

Behold, athwart our woodland nest 
Behold me, Lord, a worthless Gibeonite 
Behold the treasure of the nest 
But what if chrisom robes be sin-defiled 

Christ before thy door is waiting . 
Christian Child, whoe'er thou be 
Come and with us by summer seas 
Come hear with duteous mind . 
Come take a woodland walk with me 
Come, ye little revellers gay . . . 
Comrades, haste ; the tents' tall shading 



356 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 

Didst thou not hear how soft the day-wind sighed 
Down, slothful heart : how darest thou say . 
Dread was the mystery on Moriah's hill 

Even as the close of some grave melody 

Five loving souls, each one as mine . 

Greatest art thou in least, O Lord 
Great is the joy when leave is won . 

Had I an infant, Lord, to rear 

How fast these autumn leaves decay . 

How gaily seems the sun to rise . 

I mark'd when vernal meads were bright . 

Live ever in my heart, sweet awful hour 
Lo, cast at random on the wild sea sand 
Look westward, pensive little one 

Many the banners bright and fair 
More and more stars, and ever as I gaze 
Mother of Christ's children dear 
My child, the counsels high attend 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 

Not often bends the face of Heaven and Earth . 
Not undelightful prove .... 

Now the holy hour is nigh . 

O endless round of Nature's wheel . . . 304 

Oft have I heard mine elders say . . . 264 
Oft have I hid mine eyes ..... 145 
Oft have I read of sunny realms ... 55 

Oft have I watched thy trances light . . . 152 

O grief for Angels to behold . . . • 113 

O happy new-born babe, where art thou lying . .12 

O holy Cross, on thee to hang .... 249 

O Lord, behold these babes are Thine . . . 290 

O Lord, give gracious humbleness of heart . 283 

Once more unto thine Altar, Lord, once more . 281 

Once in His Name Who made thee ... 1 

One the descending flame . . . . . 342 

O wondrous warfare of the Spouse of God . 288 

Pure is the glory of the chrisom vest . . . 284 

Rejoice in God alway 314 

Seest thou yon woodland child . . . .166 

She did but touch with finger weak . . . 147 
So keep thou by calm prayer and searching 

thought . . . . . . . . 277 



358 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



Speed on, ye happy Sunday hours, O speed 
Sweet maiden, for so calm a life 

Tear not away the veil, dear friend 

Tears are of Nature's best, they say 

Tears from the birth the doom must be 

Tell me now thy morning dream 

The cares, the loves of parents fond 

The Church is one wide harvest-field 

The duteous sun hath ceased to keep . 

The glorious sun at morn 

The Lord, the all gracious, hides not all His ire 

The Lord who lends His creatures all 

The May winds gently lift the willow leaves 

The Powers of ill have mysteries of their own 

The primroses with kindly gleam 

There is no grief that ever wasted man 

The scourge in hand of God or man 

The shepherd boy lies on the hill 

The twelve holy men 

The wedding guests are met 

The western sky is glowing yet . 

They talk of wells in caverns deep . 

This is the portal of the dead 

Thou makest me jealous, infant dear 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 

Thou who didst choose thine awful room 
Thou who with eye too sad and wan 
*Tis said, th' immortal Powers on high . 
'Twas at the matin hour .... 

Wake me to-night, my mother dear 

Weary soul, and burthened sore 

Well fare the sage, whose dream of old 

Well may I brook the lash of scorn or woe 

What buds, what fragrant flowers are here . 

What is the Church, and what am I ? 

What is the joy the young lambs know ? 

What is this sudden thrill 

What is this cloud upon thy brow 

What purer brighter sight on earth, than when 

What time the Saviour spread His feast 

What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord . 

Whence is the mighty grace 

When heart and head are both o'erflowing 

When Heaven in mercy gives thy prayers return 

When holy books, when loving friends 

When mortals praise thee, hide thine eyes 

When travail hours are spent and o'er 

Where are the homes of Paschal mirth 

Where is the brow to bear in mortal sight . 



360 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 

Page 

Where is the mark to Jesus known . . . 15 
While snows even from the mild south-west . .31 
Who for the like of me will care . . . 235 
Who may the wondrous birth declare ... 4 
Why of all the woodland treasures . . . 207 
Why deck the high cathedral roof . . . 262 

Why should we grudge the hour and home of 

prayer 260 

Why so stately, maiden fair .... 45 
Within a reverend minster have I stood . . 280 

With joy the guardian Angel sees ... 80 

Ye children that on Jesus wait . . . 172 

Ye who wait in wistful gaze . . . .36 






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